US, Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq as Mideast Tensions Reignite

(WS News) – The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq this week, marking the first major US military action in the Middle East since a 13-day bombing campaign against Iran was suspended last Friday.

US Central Command said American and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in response to more than 30 Iranian-backed drone attacks over the preceding 72 hours, adding that Iran-aligned militias have carried out more than 600 attempted attacks on US citizens and facilities in Iraq since February. Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias operating under the nominal command of the Iraqi military, said at least 20 of its fighters were killed and 32 others wounded in the strikes.

Saudi Arabia said it launched the joint strikes after intercepting and destroying several drones targeting its oil facilities in the eastern part of the kingdom, marking the first time Riyadh has publicly claimed responsibility for strikes inside Iraq since the broader Iran war began. The Saudi defense ministry said the kingdom “does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression against it.” Jordan separately said it intercepted drone attacks over its eastern desert, while Iraq’s Kurdistan region reported militias targeting Erbil days earlier.

The strikes triggered immediate backlash within Iraq, with former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warning of a “dangerous overstep,” and the current Iraqi government directing its Foreign Ministry to pursue legal action against Washington and Riyadh. Iran responded by launching a fresh barrage of missiles at American forces in the region, which the US intercepted, with President Trump vowing to retaliate and declaring it was “our turn” to strike back, ending the brief pause in hostilities between the US and Iran.