The United States and Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, retaliating for attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities, officials said. President Donald Trump stated the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government, according to a Fox News interview. The operation targeted militants believed responsible for a series of recent assaults, including a drone attack on a US base and strikes on Saudi energy infrastructure. Trump's assertion of coordination with Baghdad came amid Iraqi complaints of sovereignty violations; earlier, Iraqi officials had denied prior approval. Meanwhile, the US military reported intercepting an Iranian “surprise attack” on its forces in the region, escalating fears of a broader conflict. The strikes mark a significant joint US-Saudi military action against Iran-aligned groups, underscoring the volatile security situation in the Middle East. No immediate casualty figures were released, but local sources reported multiple dead and wounded. The US has thousands of troops in Iraq, primarily advising local forces against the Islamic State group, but these strikes risk drawing Iraq deeper into US-Iran tensions.