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July 28, 2026 / 10:05 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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The U.S. and Saudi militaries launched airstrikes late Tuesday on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, U.S. Central Command said, after Iran and its proxies allegedly targeted American forces over the last few days.The strikes could pose a challenge to a five-day lull in U.S. attacks on Iran, as President Trump says he wants to give diplomacy a chance. It's unclear when — or whether — strikes on Iran could resume. The U.S. also said Tuesday it prevented an Iranian "surprise attack." The U.S.-Saudi operation was aimed at "terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq," CENTCOM said in a statement posted to social media. The Saudi Ministry of Defense also confirmed that it "conducted precise and targeted strikes," citing its right to self-defense.CENTCOM said the strikes were in response to more than 30 attempted drone attacks on U.S. forces and Saudi energy sites over the last three days, describing the attacks on U.S. assets as unsuccessful. Saudi Arabia said it has intercepted drones that were launched from Iraq and targeted petroleum facilities in Riyadh and the country's east.The two countries did not name the groups in question, but Iran backs several Shiite militia groups in Iraq that have launched rockets at U.S. forces in the past. Some, like Kata'ib Hezbollah, are designated by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations.CENTCOM alleged the attacks were directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response," CENTCOM wrote in its statement.
