U.S.-Saudi Strikes Kill 20 PMF Fighters in Iraq After 30 Iran-Directed Drone Attacks
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 30
U.S.-Saudi Strikes Kill 20 PMF Fighters in Iraq After 30 Iran-Directed Drone Attacks
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 30
Summary
At least 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded when U.S. and Saudi forces struck Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces sites across Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk and Nineveh.
CENTCOM said the joint strikes hit logistics and weapons sites in retaliation for more than 30 drone attacks over 72 hours that it said were directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
The operation followed what CENTCOM called an attempted surprise Iranian ballistic-missile attack on U.S. forces; it said all missiles were intercepted, while Jordan said it downed five Iranian missiles.
The exchange shattered a brief lull tied to diplomacy over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, widening pressure on regional shipping as Iran also reportedly halted three oil tankers in the waterway.
Are recent strikes on Iraqi militias enough to dismantle Tehran's proxy network, or just a temporary pause in hostilities?
Could the internal fragmentation of Iran-backed militias trigger rogue attacks that spark a wider global energy crisis?
With the Strait of Hormuz under threat, will the sudden disruption of global oil routes permanently reshape maritime trade?
The July 2026 U.S.-Iran-Saudi War: Military Flashpoints, Proxy Battles, and Energy Chokepoint Disruption
Overview
The July 2026 conflict began when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to soar and forcing Saudi Aramco to reroute exports via the East-West Pipeline. This blockade devastated Iraq’s economy, slashing oil revenues and production by 70 percent. Tensions escalated on July 28 when Iran’s IRGC launched missiles at US forces, prompting US-Saudi airstrikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq. In response, Iranian proxies attacked Saudi oil infrastructure, causing fires at key facilities, while Houthi rebels targeted Red Sea shipping. The relentless attacks strained regional air defenses and depleted US and allied interceptor stockpiles, raising the risk of successful strikes and further destabilization.