US Military Strikes Iran After Foiled Missile Attack

The U.S. military completed a heavy wave of strikes against Iran, according to a U.S. Central Command social media post, following an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan. The military action killed at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers after American and Saudi forces targeted Iran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq.

U.S. and Saudi Strikes Target Iraqi Militias After Jordan Attack

Central Command stated that the U.S. struck dozens of targets belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps over a two-hour window. The operations hit military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance and defense sites. The escalation followed five intercepted Iranian missiles fired at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, a key regional hub, as reported by Jordan’s military and Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

According to two Iraqi militia officials, the overnight strikes in Iraq killed 20 fighters and 32 wounded from the Popular Mobilization Forces, an official Iraqi military coalition of Shiite armed groups. Six Iranian advisers also died in the raids, while Iran’s deputy governor for political, security and social affairs in Markazi province confirmed four advisers were killed. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi postponed a scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia indefinitely in response to the attacks, while Iraq’s National Security Council condemned the operation for causing civilian casualties.

Regional Infrastructure Under Fire

The conflict expanded to maritime and energy infrastructure across the region. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta, including a U.S.-owned floating storage facility and a Greek-owned tanker. When asked about the port attack during an Oval Office event, U.S. President Donald Trump described it as “a little more of the same” and vowed to hit Iran “very hard because it’s our turn to hit them.”

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for separate drone attacks on Saudi energy facilities, following accusations from Saudi Arabia that Iraqi militias had targeted its oil infrastructure. Planet Labs satellite imagery confirmed damage to Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq oil-processing facility, which processes roughly 7 million barrels of crude oil daily. The renewed fighting also pushed Brent crude prices up 7.3% to $88.093 a barrel.

Diplomatic Efforts and Strait of Hormuz Stalemate

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Washington to discuss regional security, according to two people familiar with the private meetings. The officials noted that Saudi Arabia joined the strikes to signal intolerance for attacks on its critical infrastructure, but emphasized that Riyadh still wants a de-escalation and a return to negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Diplomatic mediation had previously achieved an interim agreement before collapsing due to renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated in a television interview that Tehran rejected a proposal from Oman to jointly manage ship traffic through the strait, offering instead a temporary transit plan through Iranian territorial waters. Gharibabadi added that Tehran’s policy is for the vital energy corridor “never to return to its prewar situation.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the U.S. strike targets in Iraq?

The U.S. military launched strikes in response to an Iranian missile attack targeting Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which hosts American troops.

Which countries and groups are involved in the current escalation?

The conflict involves the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, and Houthi rebels in Yemen, alongside regional mediators like Egypt and Oman.

How have oil markets reacted to the renewed fighting?

Brent crude prices jumped 7.3% to $88.093 a barrel following the attacks on regional energy infrastructure and shipping routes.