Middle East Tensions Rise as US and Saudi Arabia Strike Militias in Iraq

A series of joint military strikes by the United States and Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed militias in Iraq has pushed the Middle East into what analysts describe as “uncharted territory.” The air raids, which took place on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 fighters. This event marks a significant turning point in the regional conflict, as it is the first time Saudi Arabia has publicly joined the US in such a direct military operation against these groups.

The strikes targeted the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an armed alliance in Iraq that includes powerful factions supported by Iran. According to The Guardian, the PMF was originally formed in 2014 to help fight the Islamic State group. However, the organization has since become a network that Iran has used to increase its influence within Iraq. The Iraqi government, which has long tried to balance its relationships with both the US and Iran, reacted with anger. The Iraqi presidency described the air raids as a “blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty,” noting that the strikes targeted official institutions.

This escalation follows a brief period of calm in the fighting. Over the weekend, both sides had paused their attacks, and US President Donald Trump had suggested there was a good chance for progress in negotiations. However, that peace was short-lived. On Tuesday, Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan. While the US military reported that all missiles were intercepted, the attack effectively ended the pause. In response, the US warned that any further attacks on American troops or Saudi energy infrastructure would lead to more retaliatory strikes—actions taken in return for a previous attack.

The situation has become increasingly complex as the conflict spreads to new areas. On the same day as the Iraq strikes, explosions were reported at a natural gas port in Damietta, Egypt. While the cause remains unclear, reports suggest a drone—a small, pilotless aircraft—was involved. Additionally, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed to have stopped three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. Following this news, the price of Brent crude oil rose to around $88 a barrel, reflecting global anxiety about the stability of energy supplies.

Saudi Arabia’s overt involvement in the strikes is a notable shift. For some time, the kingdom has faced pressure from Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are also backed by Iran. The Houthis have recently announced a blockade—a military action to stop ships from entering or leaving a port—of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. This has put further pressure on international trade routes. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that at least one tanker heard explosions while traveling through the southern Red Sea, though the crew remained safe.

The diplomatic fallout from these events has been immediate. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled a planned meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that was set to take place in Jeddah. Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, denied responsibility for recent drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. They suggested that the Houthis were actually responsible for those actions, calling the Saudi claims “fabrications.”

As the violence continues, the region faces a sense of growing chaos. In Mosul, northern Iraq, mourners carried the bodies of the slain fighters, shouting slogans against the United States. The Iraqi government remains in a difficult position, struggling to prevent the war between the US and Iran from spilling over its borders. With the US promising to continue “hitting hard” and Iran showing no signs of backing down, international observers are concerned that the conflict will only become more difficult to manage. The meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington this week offered a chance to discuss the situation, but for now, the path toward a lasting peace remains unclear.