US-Saudi Strikes in Iraq and Retaliatory Iran Bombing Escalate Regional Conflict
Joint US-Saudi airstrikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq killed at least 20 fighters, marking Riyadh’s first public combat role in the Iran war. Iran retaliated with a missile attack on US forces in Jordan, which was intercepted, followed by a new wave of US strikes on Iranian military targets. The escalation has triggered diplomatic rifts, including Iraq canceling a meeting with Saudi Arabia, and caused oil prices to surge as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely depressed.