US and Saudi Arabia Launch Precision Strikes on Iran-Aligned Groups in Iraq

The cycle of violence has accelerated rapidly. After a brief period of relative calm, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that new airstrikes were necessary to punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for targeting a U.S. air base and command center in Jordan. This latest wave of hostilities comes as the conflict, which President Donald Trump initially suggested would last only a few weeks, has now stretched into five months.

Joint U.S.-Saudi Strikes in Eastern Iraq

On July 28, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia conducted joint precision strikes in eastern Iraq. These operations targeted weapons and logistics facilities used by Iran-aligned militant groups. According to CENTCOM, the action was a response to more than 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks that occurred over the preceding 72 hours.

The human cost of these strikes is contested. Iraq’s paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), dominated by Iran-backed Shia militias, stated that at least 20 of its members were killed. While the Iraqi presidency denounced the bombing as a blatant violation of sovereignty, President Trump told Fox News that the strikes had been coordinated with the Iraqi government.

The Strait of Hormuz and Naval Escalation

The conflict has spilled heavily into the vital Gulf waterway. The IRGC claimed its naval forces struck three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging the vessels ignored warnings and sailed an unsafe and illegal route. In response, the U.S. launched a tenth consecutive night of attacks aimed at weakening Iranian military capacities that threaten commercial shipping.

US and Saudi Arabia Strike Iranian-Backed Targets in Eastern Iraq

This maritime friction has immediate global economic consequences. Oil prices rose as the renewed attacks cast doubt on the durability of diplomatic agreements. Security expert Andreas Krieg of King’s College London noted that Iran is signaling that no alternative to its own toll or fee system for the waterway will be accepted.

President Donald Trump told the BBC that they are going to hit them very hard because it is now their turn to do so.

The Collapse of the June Memorandum

The current violence follows the failure of a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. That document had established a 60-day framework for a permanent deal and a temporary truce. However, the truce began to erode in early July following incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, leading President Trump to declare the ceasefire “ended” on July 9.

US and Saudi Forces Strike Iran-Aligned Militia Sites in Eastern Iraq

Despite the bombing campaigns, there are conflicting reports on diplomacy. Trump described very friendly negotiations, though Tehran has denied any such discussions. More recently, a high-ranking Iranian official told Reuters that mediators have proposed a new 10-day truce to create space for renewing the previous agreement.

Iranian Drone Strikes in Kuwait and Jordan

Iran has not remained on the defensive. The Iranian army announced “extensive” kamikaze drone attacks against U.S. facilities in Kuwait, specifically targeting a munitions depot at Camp Udairi and radar systems at Al-Saliem Air Base. These were framed as reactions to U.S. strikes on Iranian territory.

The volatility is underscored by the sheer volume of engagement. CENTCOM reported that between February and April, Iran-aligned groups in Iraq carried out more than 600 attempted attacks against U.S. citizens and facilities.

US and Saudi Forces Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

Location of Conflict	Key Action/Event	Sourced Outcome/Status
Eastern Iraq	Joint U.S.-Saudi Strikes	Targeted IRGC logistics; PMF reports 20+ killed
Strait of Hormuz	Naval Skirmishes	Three tankers struck by Iran; U.S. launched 10th wave of strikes
Kuwait	Kamikaze Drone Attacks	Targeted Camp Udairi munitions and Al-Saliem radar
Jordan	IRGC Strike	Targeted U.S. air base and command center

As the U.S. continues to target Iranian weapons sites—including a recent intensive campaign that lasted 13 consecutive nights—the regional stakes remain high. While Qatar has begun hosting indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, the immediate future depends on whether the IRGC heeds CENTCOM’s warning to cease attacks or faces further military action.