Saudi Arabia Joins United States In Bombing Iraq, Increasing Risk Of Regional War – The Organization for World Peace

On July 29th, 2026, local time, Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry announced that the country had joined the United States in conducting airstrikes in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters. The strikes followed accusations from Saudi Arabia that Iran-backed militias in Iraq attacked Saudi oil facilities. This is the first time Saudi Arabia publicly acknowledged direct involvement in the conflict. 

The Iraqi National Security Council condemned the strikes in a statement, saying they caused the deaths and injuries of “a number of innocent people.” Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, called the strikes “an unacceptable aggression.” However, Saudi Arabia’s government portrayed the strikes as self-defense and a limited reaction to specific attacks against the country. Saudi defense ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said, “The kingdom confirms that it is not seeking escalation but that it will respond to any aggression.” In analyzing the attacks, Abdulaziz Alghashian, a senior nonresident fellow at the Gulf International Forum, stated that Saudi leadership likely decided to take direct action this week to demonstrate to others that “there are costs to attacking Saudi Arabia.”

​While Saudi Arabia and Iran have long had antagonistic relations, Saudi officials have been pursuing warmer ties for several years. However, the war, and now the public announcement of Saudi strikes, have threatened these efforts at diplomacy. Ali al-Zaidi has tried to cultivate closer ties with the Gulf States, but his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia has been put on hold following the strikes. Saudi Arabia’s continued direct involvement in the war could ultimately threaten its diplomatic relations with countries in the region, and their public entry risks wider regional conflict. The renewed strikes on Iran have dimmed hopes for a quick resolution to the war, meaning conflict is likely to continue, but now on a greater scale. A widespread regional conflict would likely worsen the quality of life for civilians in the Middle East. This has already been seen in Saudi Arabia, which has faced a significant economic hit from the conflict. According to an article by the Financial Times, in the first three months of this year, it recorded its biggest quarterly deficit since 2018, and G.D.P. fell 4.8% in the second quarter of 2026. Ending the U.S.-Iran war is critical to the safety and well-being of civilians across the Middle East. 

The U.S.-Iran War began on February 28th, 2026, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. In response to attacks against the country, Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at Persian Gulf countries with U.S. military installations, including Saudi Arabia. In April, a ceasefire was implemented between the United States and Iran, which was extended with a memorandum of understanding in June to allow for talks on a permanent settlement. After the collapse of the ceasefire on July 8th, back-and-forth strikes resumed between Iran and the United States until a pause started July 24th to allow for diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman. However, throughout this pause, Iran and its proxies were accused of targeting bases and facilities of the United States and its allies, including Saudi Arabia. The pause ultimately faltered on July 29th after Iran launched missiles at U.S. military targets in Jordan. Following this, the United States and Saudi Arabia conducted strikes on Iran-aligned militias in Iraq. The U.S. Central Command claimed on social media that the militias in Iraq launched more than 30 drone attacks on American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure under the direction of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Saudi Arabia claimed that these strikes were committed by rogue groups closely aligned with Iran and outside Iraq’s control. However, the Iraqi militias denied any role in the drone attacks. Saudi Arabia also entered renewed confrontation with the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen, threatening a more than four-year ceasefire. The Houthis declared a blockade against Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, where Saudi Arabia has begun exporting much of its oil due to tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the Houthis claimed responsibility for several attacks in Saudi Arabia, including against oil facilities. The conflict has increased geographically and may continue until a permanent ceasefire is enacted between the United States, Iran, and their respective allies. 

Following these events, strikes resumed in the Middle East between the United States and Iran. While mediators are eager to pursue negotiations, currently neither side has plans for direct talks, and a clear distrust exists between the United States and Iran. Because of this, there is no clear end in sight for the war. The entrance of Saudi Arabia into the war, as well as its military conflicts with militias in Yemen and Iraq, marks a sharp escalation in the conflict. Unless diplomacy is pursued, negotiations continue, and a durable ceasefire is enacted, the U.S.-Iran war risks escalating into a regional war with multiple combatants. This war will have negative consequences for civilians, including displacement, decreased quality of life, injury, and death. Moving forward, the United States and Iran must resume direct negotiations and encourage their allies to stop attacks. In doing this, all affected parties must come together during negotiations to ensure their positions are expressed and all grievances are acknowledged. However, any decision made must acknowledge the well-being of civilians.