France 24 is reporting that the United States and Saudi Arabia launched strikes against Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Tuesday. It said the strikes targeted groups responsible for more than two dozen recent drone attacks and aimed at "Iran-aligned terrorists" directed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia confirmed its involvement, stating it hit targets linked to attacks on its oil facilities. France 24 noted that the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces reported at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in the US-Saudi strikes across Iraq early Wednesday, with the deadliest attack in Nineveh province. Separately, France 24 said Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they struck and halted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. The Guards' navy stated the tankers ignored warnings and sailed an "unsafe and illegal route." France 24 also reported that a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran rejected Oman's proposal for regional joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it unrealistic. In other developments, France 24 reported that Jordan's army intercepted and downed five Iranian missiles Wednesday morning. The U.S. military also said it intercepted an Iranian missile barrage in an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East. France 24 further reported that Iran is expected to receive a first shipment of 300 to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, including QW-12 and FN-16 missiles, within weeks. This purchase, valued at $60-70 million, aims to strengthen Iran's short-range air defenses. Following renewed tensions, oil prices jumped more than 3 percent in early Asian trade Wednesday.
