Saudi Arabia joins US in strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after the United States and Saudi Arabia launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, following a series of attacks targeting American forces and Saudi energy facilities.
According to the US Central Command (Centcom), the operation targeted weapons depots and logistics sites linked to armed groups allegedly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The military said the strikes were carried out in response to more than 30 drone attacks launched against US and Saudi interests within the past three days.
The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-recognised umbrella body that includes several Iran-aligned militias, reported that at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others injured in strikes across multiple provinces, including Baghdad, Diyala, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Wasit and Karbala.
The military action followed claims by the United States that Iran had launched missiles at American positions in the region late Tuesday. Centcom said all incoming missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard acknowledged carrying out missile attacks, saying they were aimed at US military facilities in Jordan and were retaliation for what it described as American aggression. Tehran also claimed responsibility for attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the vessels of ignoring security warnings.
Saudi Arabia said its participation in the strikes was linked to recent drone attacks on oil installations in the kingdom. Defence Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki accused Iran-backed militias operating from Iraqi territory of targeting strategic energy infrastructure and said Riyadh acted under its right to self-defence.
“The Kingdom does not seek escalation but will respond decisively to any aggression directed against it,” he stated.
The PMF condemned the airstrikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and described them as a dangerous escalation targeting official security institutions. Several of the militia groups within the PMF have long maintained close ties with Iran and have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
An Iranian defence official rejected accusations linking Tehran to the drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, warning that blaming Iran for every regional incident could further inflame tensions.
The latest developments end a brief pause in hostilities that had raised hopes for diplomacy. Just days earlier, US President Donald Trump had spoken positively about negotiations aimed at resolving disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies.
Concerns over the renewed fighting immediately affected energy markets. Brent crude rose more than 4% in Asian trading, reaching nearly $88 per barrel, while US benchmark crude also recorded significant gains as investors feared further disruptions to oil shipments through the Gulf.
The escalation comes amid an already volatile regional environment, with US and Iranian forces having exchanged attacks for months. Pentagon figures indicate that hundreds of American service members have been injured since military operations against Iran intensified earlier this year.
Analysts warn that the involvement of Saudi Arabia alongside the United States could broaden the conflict further, increasing the risk of retaliatory attacks and deepening instability across the region.
Source: BBC
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