US-Saudi joint strikes on Iran-backed militias mark milestone in cooperation - analysis

US CENTCOM said that American forces and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq on July 28 against Iran-aligned terrorists that the IRGC directed to attack US forces.

A US military aircraft flies at an unknown location during what US Central Command says are strikes on Iran in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on July 20 2026.

(photo credit: CENTCOM/Handout via REUTERS)

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

JULY 29 2026 14:54

Updated: JULY 29 2026 17:04

US and Saudi forces struck Iran-backed terrorists in Iraq overnight according to US Central Command.

The Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have targeted Saudi Arabia between July 26 and July 28 but have hit the kingdom numerous times over the last six months and as far back as 2019.

Riyadh has often chosen not to respond preferring to err on the side of de-escalation. Now with US backing the kingdom is sending a message that it will not tolerate this any longer.

US Central Command said that American forces and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq on July 28 against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

The US noted that American and Saudi aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours. Clearly Iran has mobilized its militias to attack the kingdom in the days after the US stopped strikes on Iran.

It is worth recalling that tensions grew earlier this month between the US and Iran and the US carried out 13 days of strikes on Iran before pausing them on July 26. Meanwhile Iran began trying to increase support to the Houthis in Yemen.

Iran increases support of hostile militias

On July 13 the Houthis accused Riyadh of an attack on Sanaa Airport. On July 21 the Houthis announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and began attacks on ships in the Red Sea. This was followed by attacks from Iraq on Saudi Arabia intending to create a two-front war on Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and the US coordinated a response over the last few days. CENTCOM said that from February through April 2026 there were more than 600 attempted attacks on US citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq. The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response.

The militias in Iraq have targeted the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as well as Jordan Kuwait and other countries. In recent days they increased attacks on Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. Militias in the Nineveh plains near Mosul targeted Erbil according to Kurdistan Regional authorities.

It is important to understand the history of US-Saudi Arabia ties. US-Saudi relations developed into a strategic partnership during the 20th century particularly after President Franklin D Roosevelt met Saudi Arabia King Abdulaziz aboard the USS Quincy in 1945. The relationship combined American interest in regional stability and energy resources alongside Saudi focus on external threats.

During the Cold War both countries opposed Soviet influence and revolutionary movements in the Middle East. They backed the rebellion in Afghanistan against the Soviets. Cooperation deepened after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 when Saudi Arabia hosted US forces. Relations faced strains after the September 11 attacks the Iraq War and disagreements over the Iran deal.

Relations between the US and Saudi Arabia are clearly back. This is part of the Trump administration doctrine.

US President Donald Trump has made Saudi Arabia among his first foreign trips during his two terms. He cemented ties with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Riyadh has suffered from the recent Iran war having to shift oil exports. Riyadh has been quick to do this. It has also been willing to confront the Houthis.

Iraq-Saudi relations improve as Iranian relations deteriorate

Saudi Arabia patched things up with Iraq over the last several years. It has also been more open to China and moved forward with a ceasefire with Yemen since 2022. As such Saudi Arabia was also willing to consider better relations with Iran.

Riyadh shifted its policies over the last decade from dealing with threats and crises with various countries such as Iran and Turkey to working more closely with many of these states.

However the Iranians have shown that they will still use their militias to target Saudi Arabia one of the features of the recent war. As such Saudi Arabia wants to send a message that it will work closely with the US to coordinate strikes.

The current round of strikes is unprecedented in terms of sending a clear public message that Saudi Arabia and the US are going to work together militarily. This builds on the last decades of training and cooperation.

The joint strikes were also highlighted in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia defense ministry also said it had struck Iran. The official spokesman for the ministry Maj.-Gen. Turki al-Malki claimed terrorists had attacked Saudi Arabia from Iraq. He said the kingdom has a right to defend itself.

Arab News in Saudi Arabia noted that al-Malki affirmed the kingdom inherent right to defend itself and its assets as well as its right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia foreign affairs ministry in a statement stated that this aggressive approach adopted by the Iran-affiliated terrorist militias in Iraq came at a time when the kingdom was exerting efforts to contribute to ending the escalation in the region in a manner that preserves its security and stability.

The ministry went on to add that these Iran-affiliated terrorist militias chose the irresponsible escalatory approach the violation of international law and the disregard for what Islamic brotherhood requires in terms of adhering to the principles of good neighborliness.

The Saudis noted that drones have been launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities in Saudi Arabia eastern province.

In Iraq videos showed the aftermath of the US and Saudi strikes. The Iranian-backed militias affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces said these attacks resulted in the martyrdom of a number of personnel and injuries to others as well as material damage to several buildings and properties.

The attacks came as Iraq new prime minister was visiting Turkey on his way back to Iraq. He had visited the US and Iran over the last few weeks. He was also going to visit Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh is asserting itself in the region. It is showing that the US-Saudi alliance is ironclad and that Riyadh will contribute military assets to fight against Iranian-backed terrorist groups. Most of the militias in Iraq are labeled Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the US.

The US is also showing that it will help Saudi Arabia protect its northern border with Iraq.