The U.S. and Saudi militaries launched airstrikes late Tuesday on Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, U.S. Central Command said, after Iran and its proxies allegedly targeted American forces over the last few days. The Saudi Ministry of Defense also confirmed that it "conducted precise and targeted strikes," citing its right to self-defense. Saudi Arabia said it has intercepted drones that were launched from Iraq and targeted petroleum facilities in Riyadh and the country's east. The two countries did not name the groups in question, but Iran backs several Shiite militia groups in Iraq that have launched rockets at U.S. forces in the past. "The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response," CENTCOM wrote in its statement.