Five personnel belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed during a joint military strike conducted by the United States and Saudi Arabia in Iraq, according to reports from Iranian state media released on Friday, July 31, 2026. The bodies of the slain IRGC members were repatriated to Iran through the Mehran border crossing located in the western province of Ilam, as reported by the official IRNA news agency and cited by AFP.
Joint US-Saudi Strikes Target Iraqi Militia Positions
The military action occurred following announcements by the United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, confirming they had struck Iran-backed militia targets inside Iraq. According to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—an alliance of former paramilitary groups and factions integrated into Iraq’s armed forces—the joint operation killed at least 20 fighters and injured 32 others. The strikes hit PMF bases across seven provinces, including Baghdad, Nineveh in northern Iraq, and Basra in the south, resulting in significant material damage, as stated in an official PMF release.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Condemns Regional Escalation
Tehran strongly condemned the strikes, characterizing them through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a blatant violation of Iraq’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement published Wednesday, July 29, 2026, by Iran’s Press TV, the ministry asserted that the attack breached Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter alongside foundational rules of international law. Iranian officials warned that the military action aligns with American and Israeli ambitions to widen the scope of conflict across West Asia, framing the operation as a deliberate attempt to expand the regional war.
Did you know?
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashed al-Shaabi, operate as an officially recognized state umbrella organization integrating various armed factions within Iraq’s security framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which groups were targeted in the recent strikes in Iraq?
The joint US-Saudi strikes targeted positions belonging to Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), across seven Iraqi provinces including Baghdad, Nineveh, and Basra, according to PMF statements.
How many casualties were reported from the operation?
According to the Popular Mobilization Forces, at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others injured. Iranian state media confirmed that five of the deceased were members of the IRGC.
What was the stated justification for the military action?
According to announcements made by the United States and Saudi Arabia, the strikes were launched in response to recent attacks by Iran against Saudi territory.
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