American media reports say Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes against Iran-linked Shiite militia targets in Iraq during the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, in a sign of widening military escalation across the Gulf region.
Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing Iraqi security officials, a Western official and other informed sources, that Saudi fighter jets struck sites near the Iraqi border allegedly used by Iran-backed militias for drone and missile operations.
According to the report, some of the strikes occurred around the time of the April 7 ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. The targeted locations were reportedly linked to attacks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
The report also said retaliatory rocket attacks were launched from Kuwait into Iraq during the conflict. Iraqi security officials said one strike in April killed several fighters and destroyed a communications and drone operations center used by Kataib Hezbollah in southern Iraq.
Reuters previously reported that Saudi Arabia had carried out covert strikes inside Iran during the regional war, while The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that the United Arab Emirates had also launched strikes against Iranian targets.
The latest reports underline growing fears that the Iran conflict has expanded beyond direct confrontation between Tehran, Washington and Israel, drawing Gulf states more deeply into regional military operations.
In March, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reportedly warned Baghdad through diplomatic channels to curb rocket and drone attacks launched by Iran-backed militias from Iraqi territory. However, Iraqi security sources said Iran-linked armed groups continued surveillance drone activity along the borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The war has sharply increased tensions across the Middle East, disrupted shipping routes and raised concerns over the security of energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. Regional powers have meanwhile intensified diplomatic contacts in an effort to prevent broader instability.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have long been accused by Gulf countries and Western governments of carrying out cross-border drone and missile attacks. Tehran denies directing such operations, while Iraqi authorities continue to face pressure to limit the activities of armed factions operating outside state control.