Saudi Defense: We carried out, in coordination with CENTCOM, targeted strikes against positions of militias loyal to Iran in Iraq

US Military: Strikes targeted logistical sites and weapons depots in response to more than 30 drone attacks over 72 hours

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with the US Central Command, carried out precise strikes targeting facilities belonging to Iran-aligned militias within Iraqi territory, stating that these groups were behind attacks on petroleum facilities in the Kingdom.

Spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, clarified that these strikes followed statements issued on July 27 and 28, 2026, which confirmed the interception and destruction of several drones attempting to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern and Riyadh regions. He noted that these attacks originated from Iraqi soil and were carried out by Iran-aligned militant groups.

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Al-Maliki emphasized that the strikes were taken in accordance with the Kingdom’s right to self-defense and protection of its assets, and its right to respond at the appropriate time and place, based on the right of legitimate self-defense guaranteed under international law, specifically Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense stressed that the Kingdom does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces.

In a separate statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US forces, in coordination with the Saudi Armed Forces, conducted precise strikes inside Iraq targeting Iran-aligned elements. It stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed these groups to carry out attacks against US forces and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

CENTCOM explained that US and Saudi fighter jets launched raids on logistical sites and weapons depots belonging to these groups in various parts of eastern Iraq. It confirmed that the operation was a response to more than 30 drone attacks, which it said were directed by the IRGC over the past 72 hours.

CENTCOM added that these attacks failed to achieve their objectives, noting that between February and April 2026, citizens and US facilities faced more than 600 attack attempts carried out by Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

The US Central Command stressed that the IRGC and its affiliated groups are required to halt these attacks to avoid further US military responses.