Saudi Arabia confirms direct role in airstrikes on Iraqi territory

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said its air force has officially joined airstrikes on Iraqi territory in coordination with U.S. Central Command, targeting what officials described as Iran-linked groups. Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said the strikes were "precise and limited" and directed at positions of the named groups, with the operation framed under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter as a legitimate defense of the kingdom. The ministry said Saudi air defenses intercepted several drones launched on July 27-28 and that the aircraft were tracked as having taken off from Iraq. The strikes came after drone attacks targeted oil facilities in Saudi Arabia's eastern region and near Riyadh, according to the statement. The spokesperson said Riyadh does not seek escalation but will respond to any attack. CENTCOM said U.S. and Saudi warplanes struck weapons and logistics depots across multiple locations in eastern Iraq, describing the operation as a response to more than 30 drone attacks over 72 hours allegedly directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. In Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces' Basra Operations Command said its headquarters was hit early Wednesday, with two personnel sustaining minor injuries, without identifying who carried out the strike. The statements came as reports surfaced of an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan. No further details on casualties or damage in Iraq were immediately provided.