US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iranian-Backed Forces in Iraq
The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes in Iraq. They hit forces backed by Iran.
The strikes happened late Tuesday into Wednesday. They followed Iran firing missiles at a US base in Jordan.
Saudi Arabia had also stopped drones launched by Iran-backed fighters. This happened for a second day in a row.
The drones were aimed at Saudi oil sites. The US military command CENTCOM said the strikes also answered over 30 drone attacks.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard directed those attacks in the past 72 hours. CENTCOM said this fits a pattern.
It counted over 600 attempted attacks on US forces since February 2026. The strikes hit weapons sites and supply routes, reports say.
The US also said it stopped a separate Iranian missile attack. Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry released its own statement.
It said it has a right to defend itself. It said it does not want the conflict to grow. Global oil prices jumped Wednesday after the joint airstrikes.
Key Terms 3
- CENTCOM The U.S. military command in charge of the Middle East region.
- Iranian proxies Armed groups outside Iran that Iran funds and directs.
- IRGC Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a powerful military and security force.