Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has ordered an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security following airstrikes that targeted sites in eastern Iraq early Wednesday.
According to a statement from Iraq’s Security Media Cell, the emergency session was convened in response to the deteriorating security situation and the overnight strikes. Officials said a detailed statement outlining the meeting’s outcomes and any decisions taken will be released afterward.
The announcement came after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces, working alongside the Saudi Armed Forces, carried out precision airstrikes against what it described as Iranian-backed militant targets in eastern Iraq.
CENTCOM said the strikes targeted logistical facilities and weapons depots allegedly used by armed groups responsible for drone attacks against U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. The command claimed the groups were directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. military warned that further attacks by Iran-backed groups could trigger additional military action.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed its participation in the operation. Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said the strikes targeted militia positions linked to attacks on the Kingdom’s oil facilities.
Al-Maliki said Saudi Arabia does not seek escalation but will respond to threats against its security and critical infrastructure.
The developments mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Baghdad now assessing the security implications and expected to announce its official position following the emergency meeting.
