US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iraq Following Iranian Missile Attack

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned militant logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq on July 28, 2026. This operation served as retaliation for more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over a 72-hour period, which targeted U.S. troops and Saudi energy infrastructure in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

Concurrent with the strikes, the U.S. military intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran in a surprise attack against a military base in Jordan. U.S. Central Command confirmed all incoming missiles were successfully thwarted. These escalations ended a brief lull in hostilities and disrupted mediation efforts to return both nations to ceasefire negotiations following weeks of conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatically, President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for 90 minutes in Washington to discuss their joint strategy to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. While Trump stated there is a good chance for a deal because the U.S. has been hitting Iran hard, Iranian officials maintained that no direct talks are underway. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that European warships in the Strait of Hormuz are legitimate targets, though he claimed Tehran remains open to negotiations to break the cycle of war.