Middle East Conflict Escalates as Saudi Arabia, US Launch Strikes Against Iran-Backed Militias
The conflict in the Middle East escalated again as Saudi Arabia and the US launched strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The US military said it knocked down an Iranian missile barrage and worked with Saudi forces to strike sites used by Tehran-backed militias.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry acknowledged that air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones targeting petroleum facilities in the eastern region, while also claiming to have shot down more drones fired by Iran-backed militias for a second day.
The Houthis claimed to have forced a Saudi oil tanker to turn back as part of their self-styled blockade of the kingdom. The US had paused its fighting with Iran over the weekend but tensions remained high despite progress in getting the two sides back to negotiations.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News Channel that Iran knows he'll 'finish the job' if its leaders don't make a deal to end the war, as he sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for the first time since they launched the war against Iran in February.