Key facts
- Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran targeting US forces in the Middle East.
- US Central Command confirmed all Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted.
- The attack occurred after a brief pause in fighting.
- A US official cited Jordan as the target of the missile strike.
- The escalation follows recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea.
Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East late on Tuesday, shattering a brief pause in fighting as mediators attempted to restart negotiations. US Central Command (Centcom) stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps launched the missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack, but all were successfully intercepted. US forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.
A US official cited Jordan as the target of the missile strike. The latest escalation follows a period of nearly two weeks of nightly strikes by the United States on Iran and repeated missile and drone attacks by Tehran targeting Washington's allies around the Gulf. This recent flare-up occurred after Iran attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, and following the signing of an interim ceasefire deal in June.
Amidst the tensions, Saudi Arabia reported shooting down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second day, though Iraqi militias denied involvement and blamed the Houthis. The Houthi group in Yemen claimed to have forced a Saudi oil tanker to turn around as part of their blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, describing his meeting with President Donald Trump as productive. Both leaders face domestic pressures ahead of upcoming elections.