The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint precision strikes in eastern Iraq on Tuesday, targeting what they described as "Iran-aligned terrorist groups".
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the groups were directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to launch attacks against US forces and critical Saudi energy infrastructure.
"US Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq, July 28, against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure," CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.
CENTCOM said more than 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks had been launched over the past 72 hours, but claimed none were successful. In response, US and Saudi fighter jets struck multiple logistics hubs and weapons storage sites used by the armed groups.
The command also alleged that Iran-aligned militias in Iraq carried out more than 600 attempted attacks on US personnel and facilities between February and April 2026.
Saudi Arabia confirmed its participation in the operation, describing the strikes as an exercise of its "right to self-defence" under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
In a statement, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence, said the Saudi Armed Forces coordinated with CENTCOM to conduct targeted strikes against militia positions in Iraq that were directly linked to the cross-border drone attacks.
Al-Maliki added that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraqi territory that were aimed at vital petroleum facilities in the Kingdom's Eastern Province and Riyadh region.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's "legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities," adding that the Kingdom reserves the right to respond "at the appropriate time and place."
