Iran's Missile Strikes on US Installations
In a significant development across the Middle East, the United States military reported intercepting ballistic missiles launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday, the IRGC initiated multiple ballistic missile strikes in what was described as an “attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East.” The statement, posted on the social media platform X, confirmed that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, with US forces maintaining a high state of vigilance and readiness.
Reports from the Jordan News Agency indicated that five missile interceptions occurred over Jordanian airspace. The IRGC, through Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, later claimed responsibility for targeting a US airbase and a Central Command center in Jordan with several ballistic missiles. The Iranian statement asserted that such actions were a continuation of their resistance, prompted by ongoing threats against the Islamic Republic and what they termed “illegal and vicious actions by American forces against our interests.”
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, characterized the recent escalation as a “pre-emptive attack, not a reactionary measure” from the Iranian side, suggesting a proactive stance rather than a reactive one.
Joint US-Saudi Strikes and Iraqi Condemnation
Concurrently with the Iranian missile launches, joint US-Saudi military operations in Iraq resulted in casualties among the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). These strikes reportedly killed at least 20 PMF members and wounded 32 others. This marked the first substantial US military action in the region since President Donald Trump suspended an intensive 13-day bombing campaign the previous Friday, citing “good talks” underway with Iran.
Both Saudi Arabia and CENTCOM stated that their joint air strikes in Iraq were aimed at Iran-backed militias, which they held responsible for attacks on US troops and Saudi energy infrastructure. Al Jazeera’s Jack Hewson, reporting from Baghdad, highlighted the gravity of the incident for the PMF, emphasizing its status as a legal component of Iraq’s state forces. The Iraqi presidency issued a condemnation of the “unacceptable attack” on PMF facilities, reiterating its rejection of any assault on Iraqi territory while also opposing the use of Iraqi land as a launching pad or arena for attacks against neighboring countries. The latest attacks, as noted by Serdar, have once again put the region “on edge again after days of relative calm.”
Economic Repercussions and Diplomatic Context
The confirmation of Iran’s attacks by the US military led to fluctuations in global oil markets. US oil futures, which had been declining following Washington’s suspension of strikes on Iran, surged by over 4 percent, exceeding $82 a barrel. Brent crude futures also saw an increase, surpassing $88 a barrel.
These Iranian attacks targeting US bases occurred as President Trump was engaged in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Netanyahu has been a vocal proponent of a more aggressive stance towards Iran. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, interpreted the timing of Iran’s actions as “sending a message to Trump that they need to be involved in all discussions.” Fisher also mentioned reports from Israel indicating Netanyahu’s intention to discuss “Pickaxe Mountain,” a location where Israelis believe Iran is constructing a new nuclear facility.
Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, suggested that Tehran’s recent attacks were an attempt to “retake the initiative and the momentum.” Campbell elaborated that Iran harbors skepticism regarding US pauses between attacks, viewing them as preparations for subsequent phases of violence. Consequently, Tehran likely perceives the current pause in US military actions in a similar light.
Adding another layer to the regional dynamics, Reuters cited three informed sources who indicated that Iran is anticipated to receive an initial shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers within weeks. This acquisition represents one of Iran’s most significant efforts to bolster its short-range air defenses since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict against it.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a focal point of contention. US President Trump has frequently voiced concerns over Iran’s actions in the strait, particularly its alleged blocking of some vessels. Iran, however, maintains that it possesses the right to control shipping through this critical waterway.
On Wednesday, the IRGC announced, via the Tasnim news agency, that it had “struck and stopped” three oil tankers in Hormuz. The IRGC stated that these tankers “continued to move along an unsafe and illegal route, ignoring our warnings.”
Oman had previously presented Iran with a proposal for joint management of traffic within the strait. However, Iran rejected this offer. Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi informed state television that Tehran opposed the idea of equally dividing transit routes. Instead, he proposed that Tehran manage shipping on its side of the strait, while Muscat would manage only a portion, not the entirety, of the opposite lane.
