The United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on Iran-aligned targets in eastern Iraq after a wave of drone attacks on American troops and Saudi energy facilities…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq on Tuesday after more than 30 drone attacks targeted American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
According to CENTCOM, US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites used by the groups in what it described as a response to drone attacks carried out over the previous 72 hours under the direction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“The unwarranted attacks against U.S. forces were not successful,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The command did not identify the groups targeted or specify the exact locations of the strikes, saying only that the operation took place across eastern Iraq. It also did not disclose whether there were any casualties or provide details on the damage caused.
CENTCOM alleged that Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq had attempted more than 600 attacks against US personnel and facilities between February and April 2026.
“The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,” the command said.
The airstrikes coincided with heightened military activity across the Middle East. CENTCOM said the IRGC launched several ballistic missiles from Iran at 5.45 p.m. Eastern Time in what it described as a surprise attack targeting US forces stationed in the region.
“All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted,” the command said. “U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.”
The military did not reveal how many missiles were fired, where they were intercepted or which American bases were believed to have been targeted. It also did not specify the air defence systems used to intercept the missiles.
Separately, CENTCOM said more than 20 US Navy warships were operating across the Middle East in support of ongoing military missions.
The command added that these operations included enforcement of what it described as America’s “steel wall blockade” against Iran.
As of July 28, CENTCOM said it had redirected 18 commercial vessels, disabled two others and boarded another two to enforce compliance with the blockade. However, it did not identify the vessels involved, their owners, cargoes or the waters where the operations took place.
The latest developments mark a further escalation in tensions between the United States, Iran and Tehran-backed armed groups operating across the region, although CENTCOM provided no independent evidence to support its claims regarding Iran’s role in directing the recent attacks.
