The United States and Saudi Arabia have launched coordinated strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions after a series of drone attacks targeting American forces and Saudi oil infrastructure.
According to U.S. Central Command, the joint operation targeted multiple logistics hubs, weapons depots, and military facilities used by Iran-backed militias operating in eastern Iraq. U.S. officials said the strikes were carried out in response to more than 30 drone attacks directed at American forces and Saudi energy facilities over the past several days.
Saudi Arabia confirmed its participation in the operation, describing the strikes as a defensive response against groups threatening regional security and vital energy infrastructure.
Iran-backed militia factions condemned the attacks and warned they would respond, while Iraq's government called for restraint and stressed that Iraqi territory must not become a battlefield for regional powers.
The latest military action comes as the wider confrontation between the United States and Iran continues to intensify, raising concerns that the conflict could spread beyond Iraq and further destabilize the Middle East.
Analysts warn that any further escalation could threaten regional security, disrupt global energy supplies, and increase risks to commercial shipping routes across the Gulf, as international calls for de-escalation continue to grow.
