Iran launched a barrage of missiles at American forces in the Middle East on Wednesday as the US partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Tehran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers.
US and Saudi Response
The US military announced that American and Saudi fighter aircraft had struck multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq in response to alleged drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Defense Ministry warned that it ‘does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression.’ The Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of primarily Shiite Iranian-backed armed groups, said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 wounded in the overnight strikes.
The renewed hostilities sent oil prices spiking. Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 7.3% to $88.093 a barrel. The Strait of Hormuz has been a major flashpoint in the conflict. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said his country had rejected a proposal from Oman to jointly manage ship traffic.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
