US, Saudi Arabia Escalate Strikes Against Iranian-Backed Militants in Iraq

The conflict between the US and Iran has escalated further after Saudi Arabia confirmed it took part in strikes on Iranian-backed Iraqi militants. The strikes came in response to earlier drone attacks by Iraqi militants that attempted to target oil facilities in Sharqiya and Riyadh, according to a statement from the Saudi Defense Ministry.

The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Iraqi militias and were in retaliation for over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours. CENTCOM stated that the latest strikes against Saudi Arabia were directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, hailed his meeting with US President Donald Trump as 'positive and productive', with both leaders praising cooperation between their two administrations.