{"id":36990,"date":"2026-07-30T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T21:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=36990"},"modified":"2026-07-29T22:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T19:26:00","slug":"iran-renews-missile-attacks-after-us-and-saudi-arabia-strike-iran-backed-groups-in-iraq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/iran-renews-missile-attacks-after-us-and-saudi-arabia-strike-iran-backed-groups-in-iraq\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran renews missile attacks after US and Saudi Arabia strike Iran-backed groups in Iraq"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East on July 29, 2026, after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The renewed hostilities ended a brief ceasefire that had fueled hopes of diplomacy. Instead, both sides exchanged military strikes within hours, while oil prices climbed and regional governments warned that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. military said Iran launched ballistic missiles at American military positions in Jordan in what it described as an &#8220;attempted surprise attack.&#8221; U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said all of the missiles were successfully intercepted and no damage or casualties were immediately reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack, saying its aerospace force had targeted a U.S. air base and the headquarters of the U.S. military&#8217;s regional command in Jordan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IRGC said the strike was carried out in response to what it called continued American aggression against Iran and warned that resistance would continue as long as U.S. military operations persisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. President Donald Trump vowed a forceful response, saying the United States would retaliate against Iran for the latest missile attacks.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The United States, together with the Saudi Armed Forces, carried out strikes on pro-Iranian groups in Iraq that the IRGC used to attack American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure, CENTCOM reported.<br><br>Logistics and weapons storage sites in eastern Iraq were hit.<br><br>\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde6 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TYvQuCILCX\">pic.twitter.com\/TYvQuCILCX<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Visegr\u00e1d 24 (@visegrad24) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/visegrad24\/status\/2082436805337530467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 29, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>The missile barrage marked Iran&#8217;s first direct strike on U.S. forces after several days without attacks, effectively ending hopes that the pause in hostilities could create space for renewed negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><br><strong>US-Saudi Arabia Joint Strikes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shortly after the Iranian missile attack, U.S. and Saudi forces launched coordinated airstrikes against positions held by Iran-backed militias across Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CENTCOM said the operation targeted logistics centers, weapons depots and military facilities used by Iranian-aligned armed groups that had allegedly directed more than 30 drone attacks against U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure over the previous 72 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saudi Arabia confirmed its participation in the operation, marking the first time Riyadh has publicly acknowledged taking part in military strikes since the U.S.-Iran conflict began earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saudi officials said the operation was conducted under the kingdom&#8217;s right to self-defense after drones launched from Iraqi territory targeted oil facilities in the country&#8217;s Eastern Province and Riyadh region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates that it does not seek escalation but will respond decisively to any aggression directed against it,&#8221; Saudi defense officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The strikes targeted locations in Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagles fly in formation with U.S. Air Force F-15Cs in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.\" class=\"wp-image-36991\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/US-Saudi-Arabia-jets.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagles fly in formation with U.S. Air Force F-15Cs in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Image Credit: Royal Saudi Air Force\/via USAF)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Iraq&#8217;s umbrella organization of mostly Shiite militias that includes several Iran-backed groups, said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others wounded. It warned that the casualty figures could rise as rescue and assessment operations continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PMF condemned the attacks as a &#8220;treacherous terrorist attack&#8221; and described them as a serious violation of Iraq&#8217;s sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Iraq Condemns Airstrikes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iraq&#8217;s presidency strongly criticized the joint operation, calling the strikes against the PMF an attack on Iraq&#8217;s official security institutions and a violation of international law and the UN Charter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The presidency reiterated Baghdad&#8217;s opposition to using Iraqi territory as a base for attacks against neighboring countries and urged all parties to respect Iraq&#8217;s sovereignty and avoid further escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Iraqi government called for dialogue to prevent the regional crisis from worsening. Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi reportedly postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia following the strikes and convened an emergency meeting of Iraq&#8217;s National Security Council to discuss the deteriorating security situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several Iraqi political leaders and lawmakers also condemned the attacks, with some demanding stronger diplomatic and military responses to what they described as violations of Iraqi sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s Foreign Ministry likewise condemned the U.S.-Saudi operation, accusing Washington and its allies of attempting to expand the conflict across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Iran's IRGC displays a ballistic missile at a demonstration in downtown Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-35397\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Iran-ballistic-missile-in-Tehran.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Iran&#8217;s IRGC displays a ballistic missile at a demonstration in downtown Tehran on April 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Alireza Masoumi\/ISNA)<\/sup><\/em><br><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Regional Tensions Continue to Rise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest military exchanges came after mediators had expressed cautious optimism that Washington and Tehran might return to negotiations following several days without direct attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier this month, the United States paused a series of strikes against Iran after nearly two weeks of continuous military operations. Iran had also reduced its direct attacks during that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the latest missile launches and retaliatory strikes have significantly reduced hopes for an immediate diplomatic breakthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The renewed violence also coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#8217;s visit to Washington, where he met President Trump following months of close U.S.-Israeli military cooperation during the conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although both leaders publicly emphasized unity after their meeting, differences have previously emerged over the long-term objectives of the military campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Hormuz Remains Central to the Conflict<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the confrontation. Iran said its naval forces struck three oil tankers that ignored what it described as warnings about using an &#8220;unsafe and illegal route&#8221; through the strategic waterway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The United States has focused much of its recent military campaign on reducing Iran&#8217;s ability to threaten commercial shipping passing through the strait, one of the world&#8217;s most important energy corridors.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">CENTCOM forces continue to strictly enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of July 29 CENTCOM has redirected 20 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OKe8XSZGka\">pic.twitter.com\/OKe8XSZGka<\/a><\/p>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CENTCOM\/status\/2082534172258676752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 29, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Diplomatic efforts led by Oman to establish arrangements for commercial shipping through the waterway remain ongoing, although negotiators continue to face significant disagreements over how vessels should transit the strait safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The disruption to maritime security has renewed concerns about global energy supplies. Brent crude oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday, climbing to around $88 per barrel, as investors reacted to fears that the renewed fighting could further disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that normally carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest exchange of attacks underscores the growing risk that the conflict could expand beyond Iran and Israel, drawing more regional powers directly into the fighting while complicating diplomatic efforts to restore stability in the Middle East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East on July 29, 2026, after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15602,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[44,1,125],"tags":[256,16,677,75,286,30,4,993,356,101,7,128],"class_list":["post-36990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-middle-east","category-news","category-united-states","tag-aircraft","tag-airstrike","tag-centcom","tag-conflict","tag-fighter-jet","tag-iran","tag-iraq","tag-irgc","tag-middle-east","tag-saudi-arabia","tag-u-s","tag-war"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Iran-Khorramshahr-ballistic-missile-test.jpeg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-9CC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36990"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36993,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36990\/revisions\/36993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}