U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces conducted joint precision strikes against Iranian-backed targets in eastern Iraq on July 28, 2026. The operation targeted logistics centers and weapons depots used by groups coordinated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following more than 30 drone attacks over a 72-hour period.
The coalition of American and Saudi aircraft focused their efforts on the eastern regions of Iraq, dismantling infrastructure used by pro-Iranian militants. According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), these groups were directed by the IRGC to target U.S. troops and Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure. While the strikes were described as a decisive response, the U.S. military clarified that none of the recent drone attacks against American forces actually reached their targets.
The IRGC Drone Campaign and U.S. Budget Stakes
The immediate trigger for the July 28 operation was a surge of aggression. CENTCOM reported more than 30 drone attacks organized by the IRGC within a 72-hour window. This is part of a broader, volatile pattern; from February to April 2026, Iranian-backed groups in Iraq attempted more than 600 attacks against U.S. facilities and citizens.
The financial cost of this friction is mounting. The Pentagon has estimated the cost of the U.S. war with Iran at billions of dollars through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Another report notes that the conflict has already cost the American budget several tens of billions of dollars.
IRGC and its terrorist proxies must stop these attacks to avoid further U.S. CENTCOM Official, via RBC-Ukraine
Saudi Arabia’s Defense and the Basra Explosion
Riyadh’s involvement was not merely supportive but defensive. The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed the strikes after its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraqi territory. These drones specifically targeted oil refineries in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.
The impact of these strikes was felt on the ground in southern Iraq. A powerful explosion occurred at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, in the Basra province. While local security sources cited by Al Jazeera did not immediately provide casualty figures or specific causes, the PMF later confirmed that the airstrikes caused deaths, injuries, and damage to several buildings.
The PMF characterized the operation as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and an attack on official security institutions. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government in Baghdad attempted to distance itself from the conflict, pledging not to allow Iraqi territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against friendly or brotherly nations.
Contradicting Claims: The ‘Islamic Resistance’ and Houthi Interference
Not all actors in the region agree on who is responsible for the provocations. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of pro-Iranian groups, dismissed the Saudi claims as fictions. They suggested that the attacks on Saudi oil facilities were actually carried out by Houthi rebels.
The Houthis have provided some evidence for this claim, asserting they targeted the Saudi oil tanker Euronews and declared a blockade on Saudi shipping, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait leading to the Red Sea.
Ballistic Missiles and the Fragile 2026 Truce
The timing of these strikes is particularly precarious. They follow a brief period of calm after two weeks of intense hostilities. On July 24, Donald Trump had announced a cessation of strikes against Iran to provide a window for negotiations. However, that window closed on the night of July 29, when Iranian forces launched several ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in the Middle East, including targets in Jordan.
U.S. forces reported that all these missiles were successfully intercepted. Despite the exchange, Washington continues to maintain that it is engaged in negotiations with Tehran, though there are doubts about Iran’s current readiness to reach a deal.
The current military posture remains aggressive. The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that while it does not seek escalation, it will respond to any aggression it faces, while CENTCOM maintains a high level of combat readiness to prevent further incursions into American or Saudi interests.
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