The United States military announced on Tuesday that it had intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile barrage and, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, carried out strikes against Iran-backed militia positions in eastern Iraq. The operation shattered a brief lull in hostilities that had followed weeks of confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
US Central Command confirmed that all Iranian missiles aimed at American forces in the region were shot down, adding that troops "remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness." The command also warned that further attacks on US personnel or Saudi energy infrastructure would provoke additional responses.
Joint strikes target militia logistics
According to an American official, Iran launched its ballistic missiles before the US-Saudi operation, and the two events were not directly linked. The joint mission involved fighter aircraft from both countries striking "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq," in response to more than 30 drone attacks 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 US military response," Central Command stated.
Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry acknowledged the strikes in a post on X, emphasizing that "the Kingdom does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces." The announcement came after Riyadh reported shooting down drones fired by Iran-backed Iraqi militias for a second consecutive day. Air defences intercepted several unmanned aircraft attempting to target petroleum facilities in the country's eastern region.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate the allegations. Baghdad reiterated its commitment to "preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a route or launching point for any attack targeting brotherly or friendly countries."
Iraqi militias denied involvement. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, called the Saudi claims "fabrications" and suggested that the Houthi movement in Yemen was responsible for Monday's drone attacks. The Houthis themselves claimed to have fired missiles at the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal, forcing it to turn back. Last week, they announced a blockade of Saudi shipping, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The recent escalation follows a period of relative calm after weeks of fighting over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world's traded oil normally passes. The lull had raised hopes of de-escalation, but the latest exchanges underscore the fragility of the situation.
The conflict has placed additional pressure on US President Donald Trump, who has faced mounting criticism over the deployment of American forces in the region. Four US troops were killed during the recent fighting, and the Pentagon has requested additional funding from a skeptical Congress to cover the rising costs of the operation.
For European observers, the crisis highlights the interconnected security dynamics of the Gulf and their potential ripple effects on energy markets and transatlantic alliances. The US has already signaled a reassessment of its military posture in Europe, as seen in the review of European troop deployments that pushes NATO allies to take on more responsibility. Meanwhile, the EU's internal security challenges, such as those exposed by the Berlin Pride attack, underscore the need for coordinated intelligence sharing across the continent.
As the situation in the Gulf remains volatile, European capitals will be watching closely for any signs of broader conflict that could disrupt energy supplies or draw in NATO allies. The Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb remain strategic chokepoints, and any sustained disruption would have immediate consequences for European economies heavily reliant on imported oil and gas.
