Islamic Resistance in Iraq Postpones US-Saudi Retaliatory Strike

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of pro-Iranian militias, postponed a planned retaliatory strike against United States and Saudi Arabian interests on August 7, 2026. The decision followed a public appeal from Hadi al-Ameri, head of the Badr Organization, who urged the group to endure the situation for the higher interest of Iraq and pursue the rights of the wounded and dead through diplomatic channels.

The planned retaliation was a response to joint US-Saudi airstrikes conducted on July 29. Those strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters in Baghdad and five other provinces, resulting in at least 20 deaths. The United States Central Command stated the operations targeted logistics and weapons sites in response to aerial attacks directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Saudi Arabia maintained the strikes were necessary after drones launched from Iraq targeted its oil facilities. However, the Iraqi government has stated that no evidence has been provided to support those claims.