Iran has launched ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East. In response, the United States and Saudi Arabia have conducted airstrikes on pro-Iran militia positions in Iraq, escalating military tensions in the region.
Iran Targets U.S. Facilities in Jordan; Five Missiles Intercepted
The U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations against Iran, reported on the 28th that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Central Command stated that all missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, and there have been no reports of casualties or damage to U.S. facilities.
The Jordanian military announced early on the 29th that it intercepted five missiles from Iran using its air defense systems. However, the exact location of the targeted U.S. facilities was not disclosed.
The IRGC claimed that the missiles were aimed at U.S. air bases and Central Command facilities in Jordan, warning that they would continue attacks as long as the U.S. threatens Iran or infringes on its interests.
On the same day, U.S. and Saudi forces struck several weapon and logistics facilities belonging to pro-Iran militias in eastern Iraq.
The U.S. clarified that the airstrikes in Iraq were not an immediate retaliation for the Iranian missile attacks, but rather a pre-planned operation in response to previous drone attacks.
Central Command indicated that the targeted groups had been attacking U.S. and Saudi energy facilities under the direction of the IRGC, noting that pro-Iran forces had attempted over 30 drone attacks in the past 72 hours.
Saudi Arabia reported that several drones launched from Iraq targeted its eastern oil facilities but were all intercepted. The Saudi Defense Ministry warned that while it does not seek escalation, it will respond to further attacks.
Iran denied any involvement in the drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iranian-backed militia coalition in Iraq, also denied responsibility for the attacks.
The PMF claimed that the U.S. and Saudi airstrikes caused damage to several facilities in Iraq and resulted in casualties, although the exact extent of the damage has not been confirmed.
However, the four-day lull in hostilities following Iran's direct targeting of U.S. forces and the U.S. strikes on pro-Iran groups has effectively ended.
Renewed Hostilities After Four-Day Pause in Airstrikes Against Iran
The U.S. had suspended airstrikes against Iran for four days, starting on the 24th, after conducting operations for 13 consecutive days. During this period, Iran also refrained from retaliating against U.S. bases in the region.
This latest round of attacks coincided with a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Prior to the meeting, President Trump emphasized that the U.S. was having “very good conversations” with Iran, highlighting the possibility of reaching an agreement. However, he warned that if negotiations fell through, military operations against Iran could resume.
Iran has denied President Trump’s claims of ongoing direct negotiations with the U.S. While messages continue to be exchanged through intermediary countries, disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz and shipping routes remain unresolved.
As tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate, international oil prices have surged. On the 29th, Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by approximately 4% in Asian markets compared to the previous trading day.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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