US and Saudi strike Iran-backed forces in Iraq

The US and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq on Monday, in retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities launched from the Arab country, Reuters reports. Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces said the strikes killed at least 20 fighters and wounded 32, with Baghdad condemning the attack as a violation of its sovereignty.

ICYMI- Geopolitical tensions surrounded the Kingdom on its main fronts, with Yemen's Houthis saying that they targeted a Saudi oil tanker, claiming it crossed the group's naval blockade despite prior warnings. Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry said it intercepted multiple drones targeting oil facilities in the Eastern Region. The ministry attributed the attack to Iran-affiliated militias operating from Iraqi territory.

Could we get more involved? Riyadh wants to establish an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by the Houthis, Reuters reports, citing unnamed sources. The alliance’s makeup is still being negotiated with dozens of countries.

Diplomatic efforts also took a hit after Iran rejected an Omani proposal to jointly manage the strait. The GCC-backed proposal involved applying a shared control mechanism that would allow voluntary service charges. Tehran, however, seeks sole control of the inbound shipping lane and partial control of the outbound route, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

The escalation is spreading like wildfire across the region, with Iran saying it launched missiles at US bases in Jordan and targeted tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump pledged further retaliation. Meanwhile, Jordan said it intercepted five Iranian missiles, and Iran-backed Iraqi militia Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba warned that US and Saudi forces would pay a “heavy price.”

ALSO- A fire in Egypt’s Damietta Port yesterday spread to two regasification and storage vessels, the Egyptian Oil Ministry confirmed. On-site emergency personnel including firefighters contained the blaze, which impacted a total of two ships, the ministry said, adding that there were no injuries. The ministry’s statement did not address widely circulating claims in the international press of a drone strike on the US-owned gas storage tanker. The ministry called on the press and social media users to “obtain information from official statements issued by the ministry.” A source in the petroleum industry told us the incident began when a blaze broke out in the engine room of an old, stationary ship.

US President Donald Trump said he had been “briefed” on the fire, adding, “it’s a little ​more of the same. But it's going to be straightening out,” Reuters reported. Trump did not elaborate further.