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U.S. and Saudi forces carried out joint precision strikes against Iran-aligned targets in Iraq, targeting logistics and weapons facilities after a wave of drone attacks aimed at American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure, the U.S. military announced.
The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes took place on Tuesday and were directed at groups that it said were instructed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack U.S. forces and Saudi oil facilities.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. and Saudi fighter jets hit multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq after more than 30 drone attacks were launched over the previous 72 hours. The command added that none of the attacks against U.S. forces succeeded.
CENTCOM also said Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq carried out more than 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities between February and April, warning that the IRGC and its affiliated groups must halt such operations or face further military action.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said the operation was launched in response to attacks originating from Iraqi territory that targeted petroleum facilities inside the kingdom. The ministry described the operation as a series of "precise and targeted strikes" against sites linked to attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
"The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces," the ministry stated.
Local media reported that the strikes hit positions belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a predominantly Iran-backed coalition of Shiite armed groups.
Explosions were reported in several areas, including Basra and Wasit province south of Baghdad. The PMF command in Basra said its headquarters came under airstrikes around 2 a.m. local time.
In a statement, the PMF described the operation as "treacherous terrorist attacks" carried out by U.S. and Saudi forces.
"According to initial reports, the attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of individuals, as well as damage to several buildings and properties belonging to the PMF," the group said.
It also called the strikes "a highly dangerous escalation, a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and an attack on its official security institutions," adding that Iraqi authorities were assessing casualties and damage.
Hours later, the PMF updated the toll, saying at least 20 of its fighters had been killed and 32 others wounded in the overnight strikes.
The group said the attacks hit its facilities in Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala, causing extensive damage to headquarters, military vehicles and equipment. Specialized committees are continuing field assessments to determine the full extent of the destruction, it added.
Separately, CENTCOM said Iran's IRGC launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East, but all of them were intercepted.
The command said the missiles were fired from Iran in what it described as an attempted surprise attack. Local media had earlier reported missiles heading toward U.S. military bases in Jordan. CENTCOM noted that American forces remain on high alert.
The IRGC later confirmed it had launched ballistic missiles targeting a U.S. air base and central command center in Jordan.
"In response to the aggressive actions of the U.S. military, a few hours ago, brave fighters from the IRGC's aerospace division targeted a U.S. air base and central command center in Jordan with several ballistic missiles," the group said, warning that operations would continue as long as threats against Iran persisted.
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