U.S. and Saudi Arabia Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

The strikes, aimed at retaliating for recent drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, have immediately rippled through global markets, driving a surge in oil prices. Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces confirmed that the bombardment resulted in casualties, intensifying the friction between regional powers and their local proxies.

Beyond the immediate battlefield, the operation has sparked diplomatic backlash. Officials in Baghdad and other stakeholders have condemned the action as a direct violation of Iraqi sovereignty, further destabilizing the country's fragile political environment. By coordinating this offensive, Washington and Riyadh have signaled a hardening of their stance against Iranian influence, setting aside the recent strategic recalibrations that had momentarily slowed the cycle of escalation.