US, Saudi Arabia Launch Airstrikes On Iran-Aligned Groups In Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq on Tuesday (local time), according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The strikes followed more than 30 drone attacks targeting American troops. They also came after attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons facilities used by the groups.

US Central Command said the operation responded to aerial attacks that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed over the previous 72 hours.

CENTCOM stated that the attacks on US forces were unsuccessful. It did not identify the targeted groups or disclose the exact locations of the strikes beyond saying they took place across eastern Iraq.

The command also withheld details on casualties and the extent of damage caused by the operation.

According to CENTCOM, Iran-aligned militias in Iraq attempted more than 600 attacks on US citizens and facilities between February and April 2026.

The command warned that the IRGC and its allied groups must halt such attacks to avoid further US military action.

The airstrikes coincided with heightened military activity across the West Asia.

CENTCOM said the IRGC launched several ballistic missiles from Iran at 05:45 PM. Eastern Time in what it described as an attempted surprise attack on US forces stationed in the region. It said all the missiles were successfully intercepted but did not disclose how many were fired, where they were intercepted, the intended targets or the defence systems used.

Separately, CENTCOM said more than 20 US Navy warships were operating across West Asia in support of military missions. Those missions included enforcing what it described as America’s ‘steel wall blockade’ against Iran.

As of July 28, the command said it had redirected 18 commercial vessels during the operations. It also disabled two vessels and boarded another two. It did not identify the vessels, their cargo or the waters involved.

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