CENTCOM warns Iran after US-Saudi airstrikes target IRGC-backed militias in Iraq

US Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces on Tuesday executed joint precision strikes in eastern Iraq targeting Iranaligned terrorist groups that had been directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC to strike American personnel and critical energy infrastructure in Saudi ArabiaIn a statement on X CENTCOM said that US and Saudi fighter jets targeted multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites in response to over 30 IRGCdirected aerial drone attacks launched within a 72hour windowUS Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq July 28 against Iranaligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure The unwarranted attacks against US forces were not successful CENTCOM saidHighlighting a persistent security threat in the region CENTCOM noted that from February through April 2026 there were more than 600 attempted attacks on US citizens and facilities by Iranaligned terrorist militias in IraqWarning of further escalation CENTCOM stated that the IRGC and its proxies must halt the aggression immediately to prevent further US military action The retaliatory joint operation was further confirmed by Saudi ArabiaIn a statement shared on X Major General Turki AlMaliki official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence reported that Saudi air defences successfully intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraqi territory that sought to target vital petroleum facilities in both the Eastern Province and the Riyadh regionsThe spokesperson added that the military action was undertaken in accordance with the right to selfdefence under Article 51 of the United Nations CharterMajor General AlMaliki emphasised that the Saudi Armed Forces acting in coordination with CENTCOM conducted targeted strikes against militia objectives in Iraq linked directly to the crossborder strikes reaffirming the Kingdoms legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities while reserving the right to respond at the appropriate time and placeThe operation comes after several explosions rocked Erbil in northern Iraq early Tuesday including near the US Consulate as Iranian drones targeted multiple locations across the region Citing police sources Al Jazeera reported that at least four Iranian drones targeted locations in northern Iraqs Khalifan and Soran areas located northeast of ErbilAdditionally Iranian state broadcaster IRIB citing Iraqi sources reported the destruction of an American drone in Al Anbar province with local media publishing images of a US drone crash near the Haditha Dam The strikes were accompanied by wider military activity across northern and western Iraq IRIB reported that the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah was attackedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever