According to Reuters and Fox News, the United States and Saudi Arabia jointly struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq on Wednesday, driving Brent crude futures up more than 7 percent past US$90 a barrel. President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran hard after Tehran confirmed it fired on U.S. bases in Jordan and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a five-month-old regional conflict and tightening global energy bottlenecks.
Joint U.S.-Saudi Strikes Target Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq
The joint military action marks the first time Saudi Arabia has publicly announced participating in strikes alongside the United States. According to the Associated Press and Reuters, the operation targeted bases across Iraq used by the Popular Mobilisation Forces, powerful Iran-backed paramilitary groups incorporated into Iraqi security forces.
Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces reported that at least 20 members were killed and 32 wounded in the raids. Footage broadcast by Iraq’s Al-Ahad television showed Iraqi men shouting Shi’ite sectarian slogans and “Death to America!” while carrying the bodies of slain fighters out of a Mosul hospital.
Washington and Riyadh stated they launched the strikes in retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil targets originating from Iraq. The military action followed a brief Lull earlier in the month when Trump abruptly suspended an intensive bombing campaign after 13 days, acting on commanders’ advice that the strategy had run its course.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions and Rejection of Omani Proposal
The latest escalation follows the collapse of a June interim agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy shipping route. Iran asserts control over the strait and seeks to collect fees from commercial vessels. Oman and Gulf states proposed a joint regional control plan this week featuring voluntary service charges, but a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran rejected the proposal as unreasonable.
Did you know? Brent crude futures surged over 7 percent on Wednesday following the strikes, reversing an earlier weekly plunge that occurred when the U.S. temporarily halted regional air campaigns.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed they fired several ballistic missiles at U.S. military installations in Jordan and struck three tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz along an unauthorized route. Jordan’s military reported shooting down five Iranian missiles. U.S. bases in Jordan have increasingly become primary targets, with three U.S. service members killed there earlier this month in the worst American losses since March.
Broader Regional Fallout and Iraqi Sovereignty Concerns
The conflict continues to expand across multiple fronts. Last week, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen announced a blockade of Saudi oil exports in the Red Sea, firing on ships and oil facilities while considering new transit fees.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government convened an emergency meeting to address the strikes. The Iraqi presidency denounced the raids on the paramilitaries as an unacceptable violation of sovereignty while also urging armed groups to halt attacks against Iraq’s neighbors. Trump told Fox News that the U.S. coordinated with Baghdad prior to the attacks, though the prime minister’s office maintained that only the Iraqi government holds the authority to respond to actions on its territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did oil prices spike recently?
According to Reuters, Brent crude futures rose more than 7 percent past US$90 a barrel after joint U.S. and Saudi strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq revived fears of prolonged energy supply bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Who participated in the strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq?
The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out the joint operations, marking the first time Riyadh has publicly announced military participation alongside Washington in the current conflict.
How has Iran responded to recent diplomatic proposals for the Strait of Hormuz?
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran rejected an Omani-backed regional control proposal, labeling a 50-50 joint control arrangement unreasonable as Iran insists on maintaining control over the inbound shipping routes.
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