The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes on Iranian-backed armed groups in Iraq on Wednesday, marking the first time Riyadh has publicly joined strikes alongside Washington. The attacks came in retaliation for drone strikes on Saudi oil facilities, which officials say were launched from Iraqi territory in coordination with Yemen's Houthi rebels. The strikes targeted military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and other IRGC-linked sites, according to U.S. Central Command.
The airstrikes followed a series of escalations in the region, including an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan earlier this week. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of a "harsh response" to U.S. strikes, while President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran "very hard." The conflict has raised concerns about further escalation, with oil prices climbing and regional allies like Egypt reporting drone attacks on energy infrastructure.
Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iran-backed paramilitary group, reported at least 20 members killed and 32 wounded in the strikes. Saudi Arabia's defense minister met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance to urge restraint, warning that further escalation could open "major unknown risks." Meanwhile, Iran has claimed control over the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to disrupt shipping in the strategic waterway.
The strikes come amid a broader regional conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and its allies, with tensions flaring since Iran's missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan. The U.S. had paused strikes inside Iran last week to allow for diplomatic efforts, but the latest attacks signal a return to direct confrontation. The conflict has drawn in regional players, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and raised concerns about its impact on global energy markets.