Multiple locations across Iraq were hit by airstrikes early Wednesday as the United States and Saudi Arabia announced they had carried out a coordinated military operation against Iran-aligned armed groups operating inside the country.

According to local sources, one of the strikes targeted a camp belonging to Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Nineveh Plain in northern Iraq. Explosions were also reported north of Babylon, while additional strikes reportedly hit military sites in the Al-Suwaira district of Wasit province and the al-Deir area of Basra province in southern Iraq.

Further explosions were reported in northern Karbala province and in the Zab area of Kirkuk province, although Iraqi authorities had not immediately released an official assessment of casualties or damage.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out "precision strikes" against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, alleging that the targeted factions had directed attacks against US forces stationed in the region as well as Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed that the Saudi Armed Forces participated in the operation in coordination with CENTCOM, describing the attacks as "specific, qualitative strikes" against what it called pro-Iranian military targets operating on Iraqi territory.

Riyadh claimed the operation was conducted in response to attacks on Saudi oil facilities, though it did not provide additional evidence linking the targeted groups to those incidents.

Iran quickly distanced itself from the accusations.

Iranian state television quoted an informed military official as saying that Tehran had "no connection to any projectiles launched from other countries toward targets in Saudi Arabia."

The official warned that attributing any attack on US interests in the region to Iran would constitute "a major miscalculation," rejecting claims that Tehran had orchestrated recent attacks.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also denied Saudi accusations that it had launched attacks against Saudi territory.

In a statement, the group dismissed Riyadh's allegations as an attempt to justify what it described as Saudi Arabia's inability to respond to recent Yemeni attacks on strategic infrastructure in the Kingdom.

The group further warned that "any foolish Saudi action" would be met with retaliation, raising concerns that the latest exchange could trigger a broader regional confrontation.

The developments came amid reports of explosions over Jordan.

Reuters, citing Axios, reported that ballistic missiles had been fired toward a US military base in Jordan. The US military later said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched several ballistic missiles toward American forces stationed in West Asia.

However, Iran had not officially claimed responsibility for the reported attack at the time of publication.

Analysts speaking to Al Mayadeen said attention had turned to whether Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters would issue an official statement clarifying the incident.

They noted that Iran had previously targeted Jordan's al-Azraq Air Base, citing its strategic role in supporting US military operations through advanced command-and-control capabilities.

An Al Mayadeen correspondent in Tehran reported that uncertainty remained within Iran regarding the alleged missile attack on Jordan, with observers questioning whether it represented an isolated security incident or the beginning of renewed direct confrontation between Iran and the United States.

Analysts also highlighted the timing of the reported attack, noting that it coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where discussions were reportedly focused on regional security and Iran, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation. (ILKHA)