US and Saudi Arabia Launch Joint Airstrikes in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated airstrikes against Iran-backed groups across eastern Iraq after a surge in drone and missile attacks on U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure, officials said Tuesday. U.S. Central Command reported more than 30 attempted strikes over 72 hours, and earlier the same day said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired a ballistic missile barrage at U.S. forces in the Middle East, with all missiles intercepted. Riyadh’s Defense Ministry cited self-defense after drone threats against petroleum facilities. Iraq’s Iran-aligned Popular Mobilisation Forces said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded, with facilities damaged in Baghdad and six provinces.