US and Saudi forces launched coordinated strikes on pro-Iranian militias across Iraq, killing at least 10 fighters, reports said, as tensions in the region escalated. Middle East Eye reported 10 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were killed, while another report from the same outlet said 20 PMF fighters died and 32 were wounded. The strikes hit seven provinces including Baghdad, Basra and Kirkuk.
Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr condemned the attacks by "rogue militias" and urged them to stop, warning against dragging Iraq into conflict. He called for state control and peace.
In response, the Iran-aligned Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba threatened US and Saudi interests, raising fears of retaliation.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi postponed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia, a government source said.
Separately, Jordan intercepted missiles from Iran, and the US military said it shot down an Iranian barrage.