US and Saudi forces launch strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq as regional conflict widens; Iran retaliates with missile attacks

The Middle East is experiencing a significant escalation of conflict, with US and Saudi forces conducting strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, leading to at least 20 deaths and exacerbating Iraq's sovereignty crisis. This comes as the US has also launched 'heavy' strikes on Iran, following a pause in bombing campaigns. Iran, in turn, has reportedly fired missiles at US bases in Jordan and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and Jordan claims to have foiled an Iranian missile attack. The widening conflict is contributing to global market uncertainty and rising oil prices.