US-Saudi strikes: why Riyadh is (somewhat) unraveling the hatchet against Iran

The Arabiya Saudi has taken a decisive step in its long-standing rivalry with Iran, joining forces with the United States to launch joint airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. On July 29, the kingdom participated in unprecedented military action alongside American forces, targeting logistics hubs and weapon depots controlled by groups under the influence of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. This marks the first time since the escalation of hostilities between Iran, the U.S., and Israel in late February that Riyadh has directly engaged in combat operations within this regional conflict. According to the U.S. Central Command for the Middle East (CentCom), the strikes were aimed at facilities directly linked to Iranian-aligned groups operating in Iraq. The U.S. military confirmed these installations were under the control of entities following orders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Saudi-led operation was framed by Riyadh as an act of legitimate defense, citing recent attacks on its energy infrastructure by Iranian-linked militants. These assaults, which have intensified over the past months, include drone strikes and missile attacks targeting Saudi oil facilities. Since early March, Saudi authorities have accused Tehran of launching nearly 100 drone attacks on their critical infrastructure during a single day alone. In addition, the Yemen-based Houthi rebels, another Iranian-backed faction, have repeatedly targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. On July 28, the Houthis claimed they had fired multiple ballistic missiles at a Saudi vessel. Despite these threats, Riyadh had previously opted for defensive measures rather than direct retaliation, relying heavily on American support to intercept incoming attacks. Javier Bordon, a specialist in Middle Eastern peace and security at Lancaster University, noted that Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in positioning itself as a moderate power in the region. This image is crucial to the kingdom’s political strategy, as it seeks to avoid further regional instability. “Riyadh has sought to maintain a balance, avoiding actions that could escalate tensions,” he explained. Toby Matthiesen, a historian specializing in the Middle East and Islam at the University of Bristol, observed that this shift represents a notable change in Saudi policy. For years, Saudi Arabia pursued a pragmatic approach, aiming to normalize relations with Iran through diplomatic channels. This effort culminated in the 2023 agreement that restored bilateral ties, brokered under Chinese mediation. However, this does not negate the underlying competition between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran for regional dominance. Ali Al-Zaydi, a Middle East expert at IE University in Madrid, emphasized that while formal diplomatic engagement continues, the broader struggle between the two powers persists. This contest plays out through proxy conflicts involving affiliated groups throughout the region. Yet, the recent Saudi strike appears to signal a turning point, as it marks the first time the kingdom has launched direct military action against Iranian-backed forces. This development underscores the evolving dynamics in the Gulf and the broader Middle East, where traditional alliances and rivalries continue to shape geopolitical outcomes. As the situation unfolds, the implications for regional stability and international relations will likely remain a subject of intense scrutiny.