In a "surprising" move, Saudi Arabia along with the United States hit Iran-backed group camps in Iran, escalating tension in the Middle East.
According to CBS News, the US and Saudi militaries launched airstrikes late Tuesday, July 29, on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, US Central Command said, after Iran and its proxies allegedly targeted American forces over the last few days.
The strikes could pose a challenge to a five-day lull in US attacks on Iran, as President Trump says he wants to give diplomacy a chance.
It's unclear when, or whether, strikes on Iran could resume. The US also said Tuesday, it prevented an Iranian "surprise attack."
CENTCOM said in a statement posted to social media that the US-Saudi operation was aimed at "terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq."
The Saudi Ministry of Defense also confirmed that it "conducted precise and targeted strikes," citing its right to self-defense.
The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi paramilitary group backed by Iran, said at least 20 of its fighters were killed and 32 wounded in a statement released Wednesday. The group said its headquarters in Baghdad and six other locations were struck.
CENTCOM said the strikes were in response to more than 30 attempted drone attacks on US forces and Saudi energy sites over the last three days, describing the attacks on US assets as unsuccessful.
Saudi Arabia said it has intercepted drones that were launched from Iraq and targeted petroleum facilities in Riyadh and the country's east.
The two countries did not name the groups in question, but Iran backs several Shiite militia groups in Iraq that have launched rockets at US forces in the past.
Surprise attack
CENTCOM alleged the attacks were directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response," CENTCOM wrote in its statement.
Earlier Tuesday, CENTCOM said Iran's Revolutionary Guards mounted an "attempted surprise attack," launching ballistic missiles at US forces in the region. The missiles were intercepted.
The scattered attacks come as the US holds off on directly striking Iran, after carrying out almost two weeks of nightly strikes on Iranian targets that ended Thursday night.
