US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes against Iran-backed militia targets in eastern Iraq on Wednesday, saying the groups were responsible for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces confirmed that several of its headquarters had been hit, with preliminary reports indicating deaths, injuries and damage to buildings and other facilities. Iran denied any involvement in attacks launched from other countries against Saudi targets, calling the accusations a “major miscalculation”.

The strikes came hours after the US military said its air defenses had intercepted several ballistic missiles launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at US forces in the region.

The renewed attacks ended a brief pause in the fighting and sent oil prices up by more than $3 a barrel. Tensions also remained high in the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC said it had struck three oil tankers and forced them to stop after they ignored warnings. Reuters could not independently verify the claim.

Oman has meanwhile proposed a regional agreement under which the strait would be jointly managed and ships could make voluntary payments, based on a system used in the Strait of Malacca. US officials have rejected tolls or fees and insisted that the international waterway must remain free of Iranian control or restrictions.

(Reuters, Max)