Saudi Arabia has escalated its involvement in the Middle East conflict by conducting joint airstrikes with the United States against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. This marks the first publicly acknowledged Saudi military action against such groups since the onset of the Iran-U.S. conflict in February 2026. The strikes targeted positions of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a Shiite militia coalition aligned with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in response to over 30 drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure allegedly launched from Iraqi territory.
The joint operation resulted in at least 20 fatalities and 32 injuries among the PMF fighters, with additional strikes reported in Iraq's Diyala and Kirkuk provinces. This action follows a series of drone attacks from Iraq that targeted Saudi oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, which Saudi authorities attributed to Iranian-backed militias operating from Iraqi soil.
In response to these developments, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held an urgent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting aimed to convey a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the escalating conflict with Iran and broader regional tensions. The Saudi minister emphasized that recent attacks by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias targeting Saudi infrastructure and energy facilities had crossed a critical threshold, prompting decisive action from the kingdom.
The escalation has also drawn in other regional actors. Iran launched ballistic missiles at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, and Yemen's Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on Saudi assets, including a recent assault on a Saudi oil tanker and a naval blockade in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These actions underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the conflict, involving state and non-state actors across the region.
The Iraqi government has condemned the attacks and pledged to take action if its territory is confirmed as the launch point for the drone strikes. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to address the situation. The inability of the Iraqi government to control Iran-backed militias operating within its borders has raised concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict. The United States has indicated a pause in strikes on Iran, suggesting a potential shift towards diplomacy. However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains uncertain, and the risk of further military actions continues to pose a significant threat to regional peace and security.
As the situation develops, it is crucial for all parties involved to engage in dialogue and seek peaceful resolutions to prevent further loss of life and infrastructure damage. The role of international mediators and organizations will be pivotal in facilitating negotiations and ensuring compliance with international law.