The United States and Saudi Arabia launched a joint military operation on Tuesday against positions of Iran-backed militias in eastern Iraq, in a strong response to an escalation of drone attacks directed against U.S. forces and Saudi strategic installations. The offensive, supported by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), represents so far the most direct military reaction from Washington and Riyadh to the actions of armed groups linked to the Iranian regime in the region.
According to CENTCOM, the air forces of both countries executed precision strikes against multiple logistical facilities and weapons depots used by pro-Iranian militias. The operation came after more than 30 drone attacks were launched against U.S. positions in the last 72 hours. According to information released by the U.S. military command, none of those attacks succeeded in reaching their targets.
The joint response sends a clear message to the militias backed by Tehran: attacks against U.S. troops and regional allies will have consequences. CENTCOM stated that between February and April 2026, there were over 600 attempted attacks against U.S. citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq. In light of this situation, the agency warned that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its allied groups must cease their operations to avoid an even greater military response.
Saudi Arabia confirmed its participation in the operation after denouncing a series of drone attacks against oil facilities within its territory. The spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, General Turki al-Maliki, reported that the kingdom's air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones targeting oil facilities in the Eastern Province.
Al-Maliki described the attacks as ''terrorist attempts'' and noted that the drones had been launched from Iraqi territory by militias linked to Iran. The official also recalled that Riyadh had detected similar attacks in the previous days, including drones directed against strategic facilities both in the Eastern Province and in the Riyadh area.
