Joint U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces launched airstrikes against Iran-backed militia bases across eastern Iraq late Tuesday, killing at least 20 fighters and injuring 32 others, according to military statements and local group reports.
The strikes targeted weapons and logistics sites belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of Iraqi paramilitary units backed by Tehran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation was launched in response to more than 30 drone and missile attempts targeting American troops and Saudi energy facilities over the past three days.
Iraq’s presidency issued a statement Wednesday strongly condemning the action, calling it “an unacceptable attack and a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.” However, the statement also criticized Iran-backed proxy forces for using Iraqi territory “against neighboring countries or for the settling of regional and international scores.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its military took part, marking the first time the kingdom has acknowledged direct offensive actions in the current five-month conflict. The ministry defined the strikes as “lawful self-defense,” adding that “these Iran-backed terrorist militias chose the path of irresponsible escalation, violating international law.”
The joint action followed an uptick in regional missile exchanges. CENTCOM reported that Iranian forces launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. bases late Tuesday in an “attempted surprise attack.” American forces intercepted all incoming missiles, and Jordan’s military confirmed its air defenses shot down five Iranian missiles early Wednesday.
Maritime disruptions also spiked. Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard struck and halted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz for navigating an “unsafe and illegal route.” Additionally, Iranian state television reported a U.S. missile hit an uninhabited area near the border city of Piranshahr in northwestern Iran, leaving no casualties.
The renewed escalation broke a brief three-day pause in energy market movements. Brent crude prices jumped 3.3% to roughly $85 a barrel on Wednesday, while U.S. benchmark crude climbed 3.4% to $81.93.
Inside the military, leadership moved to curb public posts about the attacks. In a memo sent to service members, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, warned troops against sharing battlefield video on social media, noting it provides valuable intelligence to Iranian forces.
“The direct, unavoidable cost of this open-source intelligence could be measured in the lives of American service members and civilian residents in targeted Gulf countries,” Cooper wrote.
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss ongoing operations against Iran. A senior Israeli official present at the meeting called it an “extremely positive meeting,” stating both leaders reaffirmed their position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
READ: U.S. Intercepts Iranian Missile Attack As Joint Strikes Hit Militias In Iraq
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