Washington, July 29 -- The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out coordinated airstrikes against Iran-backed militia positions in eastern Iraq after Iran launched what US military officials described as a "surprise attack" on American forces in the Middle East, marking one of the sharpest escalations in the regional conflict despite recent diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
The latest military exchange unfolded barely a day after US President Donald Trump suggested Washington had paused strikes against Iran and indicated that Tehran wanted negotiations. Iranian officials quickly rejected that assertion, insisting no talks with the United States were underway.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran's Islamic Revolutiona...