At least 10 killed in US-Saudi strikes across Iraq

At least 10 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were killed in coordinated U.S.-Saudi airstrikes across Iraq on Wednesday, according to AFP news agency, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions involving Iran-backed armed groups. The officials said the strikes targeted multiple locations across several Iraqi provinces, with the deadliest attack taking place in Nineveh province, where at least 10 PMF members were killed. The death toll is expected to rise, they added, as several others were reportedly injured in strikes in other provinces."The attacks were carried out across several provinces, with the deadliest attack in Nineveh province, where at least 10 members were killed," one PMF official told AFP. A second official confirmed the initial casualty figures.

US and Saudi Arabia launch joint strikes on Iraq

CENTCOM and the Saudi Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in eastern Iraq, targeting what they described as "Iran-aligned terrorists" directed by the IRGC.

US and Saudi fighter aircrafts targeted logistics and weapons… pic.twitter.com/BszhA61piT

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 29, 2026

According to media reports, the United States and Saudi Arabia said the strikes targeted Iran-backed groups they accused of carrying out drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The military action drew a swift response from Iran, which warned that holding Tehran responsible for such attacks was a "major miscalculation."The latest strikes came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions. Oman has proposed a fresh regional initiative aimed at resolving the conflict surrounding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed before the recent hostilities intensified.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its naval forces intercepted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they allegedly ignored warnings and followed what it described as an "unsafe and illegal route, according to agency reports."In a statement, the IRGC Navy said it maintained full control over the strategic waterway and warned that "unlawful U.S. military interference" and directions issued to vessels in the region would not go unanswered.

???? Iran's IRGC Navy says it targeted and stopped three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after the vessels ignored warnings

???? IRGC says the vessels were intercepted 'a few hours ago,' according to local media https://t.co/no1hj4HCMK pic.twitter.com/HrtV0b9NYp

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 29, 2026

The strikes in eastern Iraq took place just hours after the U.S. military said its air defence systems had thwarted what it described as a surprise Iranian attack targeting American troops in the region. Separately, the IRGC said it had launched several ballistic missiles at U.S. military installations in Jordan.
The exchange of attacks has ended a brief lull in hostilities that followed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to halt a planned two-week bombing campaign, a move that was followed by what appeared to be a temporary pause in Iranian military action. The renewed violence has heightened concerns over broader regional instability and the security of critical energy supply routes.