Saudi Arabia and the United States have carried out strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, marking a potential escalation in tensions across the Middle East, according to reports by the BBC.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted “Iran-linked terrorists” who, according to US officials, were directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition largely dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias, claimed that at least 20 of its members were killed in the US-Saudi strikes on its bases.
The strikes came hours after CENTCOM said Iran had launched missiles toward US forces in the Middle East in what it described as a “surprise attack attempt,” ending a period of relative calm between the sides.
The United States said the Iranian missile attack took place at 17:45 EDT (21:45 GMT) on Tuesday and that all missiles were successfully intercepted.
The IRGC claimed it targeted a US air base and a command center in Jordan “in response to acts of aggression by the US military that kills children.”
Iran also said its naval forces had struck three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they allegedly ignored warnings and traveled through what Tehran described as an “unsafe and illegal route” through the strategically important waterway.
Asked by a Fox News correspondent about the Iranian attack involving Jordan, US President Donald Trump responded with strong language, warning that American forces would retaliate forcefully, saying: “They are going to take a big hit.”
