Dubai, UAE — The United States warned Iran and its allied armed groups against further attacks after conducting joint strikes with Saudi Arabia on logistics and weapons sites in Iraq, as military exchanges and diplomatic activity intensified across the Middle East on Tuesday.
US Central Command (Centcom) said it carried out “precision strikes” with the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq, describing the operation as retaliation for more than 30 drone attacks it said were directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the previous 72 hours.
“The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,” Centcom said.
Earlier, Centcom said Iran had launched multiple ballistic missiles in what it described as an attempted surprise attack on US forces in the Middle East, adding that all missiles were intercepted and that US forces remained on high alert.
Axios, citing a US official, reported that Iran launched ballistic missiles towards a US military base in Jordan.
Iraqi paramilitary force reports casualties
Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) confirmed that several of its headquarters had been targeted, reporting casualties and damage to its facilities.
The PMF said eight of its members were killed in joint Saudi-US strikes in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province.
The force described the attacks as a “highly dangerous escalation” and said they violated Iraq’s sovereignty and its official security institutions. It added that assessments of the damage and casualty toll were continuing.
Earlier, explosions were reported at PMF headquarters in Iraq’s southern Basra province, although no immediate information was available on the cause.
The PMF is a state umbrella organisation overseeing several paramilitary groups, including factions with close ties to Iran.
Iran rejects allegations, IRGC claims attack
Iran rejected accusations that it was behind attacks launched from neighbouring countries against Saudi Arabia.
A military source quoted by Iranian state media denied Tehran’s involvement in firing projectiles at targets inside the kingdom.
Separately, the IRGC said it had targeted a US air base and a US Central Command centre in Jordan with ballistic missiles.
“As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and the illegal and evil actions of the American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by IRNA.
It also called on the United States to end what it described as threats and illegal intervention against Iranian interests.
Saudi Arabia condemns attacks
Saudi Arabia condemned what it called continued attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq targeting oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.
Separately, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported a large explosion near the southern town of Tallousa, although no further details were immediately available.
Trump and Netanyahu reaffirm partnership
US President Donald Trump described his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as “very good”, saying they had discussed several important issues.
Netanyahu later called the talks “excellent” and said the leaders discussed “full partnership, mutual support, and a shared understanding of our common objective” of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Diplomacy continues
Amid the military escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
According to Araghchi, the two discussed recent regional and international developments as well as efforts to help reduce tensions and maintain regional stability and security.
Earlier in the day, Kuwait condemned Iranian attacks on its territory, describing them as a serious escalation and a direct threat to regional security.
