Iraqi PM Zaidi condemns US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias

ByGOLDIE KATZJULY 29, 2026 17:18Updated: JULY 29, 2026 18:37Iraq’s National Security Council condemned the US and Saudi Arabia’s joint overnight strikes against Iran-backed Iraqi militias, after an emergency meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday.Zaidi’s office denounced the strikes, stating that it is the Iraqi government’s responsibility to deal with security concerns originating within its borders, even if outside nations raise the concerns.US President Donald Trump earlier claimed to Fox News’s Trey Yingst that the strikes were carried out in coordination with the Iraqi government.Iraq claims US-Saudi strikes interrupted efforts to address security concernsThe National Security Council stated that the strikes occurred as Iraq was in the midst of communicating with “concerned parties” to verify and address reports of Iran-backed militias targeting Saudi Arabia and US forces in the region. They asserted their firm rejection of “all hostile acts, regardless of the executing party or justifications relied upon.”Zaidi’s office announced that, in light of the strikes, Iraq would establish a comprehensive security plan to “confront any violation of Iraq's sovereignty” and prevent any entities within Iraq from working to threaten neighboring countries.Kataib Hezbollah, one of the most powerful Iranian proxies in Iraq, threatened that further attacks against US assets in Saudi Arabia are "inevitable.”Reuters contributed to this report.Follow us on Google