Saudi Arabian fighter jets joined United States warplanes early Wednesday in defensive strikes against Iranian-backed militia sites in eastern Iraq.
The operation followed a barrage of over 30 militia-directed drone attacks targeting Saudi energy infrastructure and American forces.
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Combined air operations hit multiple militia logistics hubs and weapons storage facilities across eastern Iraq. Militia officials reported at least 20 fighters died during the joint aerial bombardment.
Military action intensified across the region as Jordanian air defenses intercepted and destroyed five ballistic missiles fired from Iran.
Iranian state media confirmed the Revolutionary Guard launched the missiles targeting Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and US Central Command facilities in Jordan.
The escalation halted recent diplomatic progress aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
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Renewed hostilities pushed international energy prices higher, sending Brent crude up 3.1% to $84.58 per barrel.
The aerial operations followed days of repeated drone strikes against key Saudi oil processing sites, including the Abqaiq plant and the Jazan refinery.
The attacks forced the temporary shutdown of the 400,000-barrel-per-day facility on the Red Sea coast.
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In response to the retaliatory strikes inside Iraqi territory, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi convened an emergency meeting of the country's National Security Council on Wednesday and postponed a scheduled official visit to Saudi Arabia.
