Saudi Arabia Joins US Military Escalations Against Iran-Backed Proxies

The US-Iran conflict has entered a new phase as Saudi Arabia joins military escalations against Tehran-backed proxies. The move comes amid stalled diplomacy, with mistrust between Washington and Tehran at an all-time high.

Despite several days of relative calm, both sides carried out military strikes in the last 24 hours that risk a return to all-out war. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran, saying 'we got to smack them a little bit.' The US has launched strikes against logistics and weapons sites used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia's decision to join the US attacks sends a message to Iran that it won't tolerate targeting of Saudi oil industry infrastructure. Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, conveying the view of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran has lost leverage but is still providing support to militias in Iraq.

The US-Saudi strikes followed drone attacks on the kingdom, complicating a conflict that now includes nearly every country in the region. The renewed fighting has killed and injured American troops and raised concerns about the burn rate of critical missile interceptors.