U.S. and Saudi Forces Strike Iraq After Iranian Missile Attack

The United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint precision airstrikes against Iranian-aligned logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq on July 28 and 29, 2026. U.S. Central Command reported the operation as a retaliation for more than 30 drone attacks directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over a 72-hour period, which targeted U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure in Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The Popular Mobilization Forces reported at least 20 fighters killed in the strikes, and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi convened an emergency National Security Council meeting in response.

Simultaneously, the IRGC launched a surprise barrage of ballistic missiles targeting the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and U.S. Central Command headquarters in Jordan. U.S. and Jordanian forces successfully intercepted all incoming missiles. In the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC Navy claimed to have struck and halted three oil tankers, while Houthi rebels targeted the Saudi tanker NCC Ghazal in the Red Sea. These escalations ended a three-day lull in fighting and caused global oil prices to spike over 4%.

Diplomatically, President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington to discuss the joint war against Iran and the prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons. While Trump expressed a "good chance" for progress in negotiations, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected claims that Tehran requested a meeting and dismissed a proposal from Oman to jointly manage shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.