Iran Launches Missile Strikes on US Facilities Amid Trump-Netanyahu Talks

U.S. forces reported intercepting a barrage of ballistic missiles launched by Iran targeting sites throughout the Middle East.

In a Wednesday post on X, U.S. Central Command stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired several ballistic missiles in what it described as an attempted surprise strike against American personnel stationed in the region.

All incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, and U.S. officials emphasized that troops remain on high alert and ready to respond.

Jordan’s news agency reported that five of the missiles were intercepted over its territory.

The IRGC claimed its air force aimed at a U.S. airbase and the Central Command hub in Jordan, launching multiple ballistic missiles at those sites.

The IRGC warned that as long as threats to Iran persist and what it calls hostile U.S. actions continue, its resistance will not cease, according to a statement broadcast by Iran’s IRIB.

Al Jazeera’s Tehran correspondent, Resul Serdar, characterized the strikes as a pre‑emptive move rather than a reactive response by Iran.

President Donald Trump had halted a two‑week U.S. bombing campaign against Iran on July 24, saying that constructive negotiations were underway.

He added that after thirteen straight days of reciprocal strikes, the new missile barrage will almost certainly affect ongoing mediation attempts.

Trump has warned he could resume strikes if talks stall, while Iran insists it is not looking to restart negotiations with the United States.

The Iranian missile strikes occurred while President Trump was hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, a meeting where Netanyahu has repeatedly advocated for military action against Iran.

Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, speaking from Washington, D.C., said the attack was Iran’s way of signaling to Trump that it must be included in any talks.

He noted that Israeli sources indicated Netanyahu was eager to discuss what they call ‘Pickaxe Mountain,’ asserting that construction activity there suggests Iran may be developing another nuclear site.

Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera that Iran appears to be seeking to regain the strategic initiative through these strikes.

He added that Iran doubts the U.S. uses these lulls to prepare for further escalation, believing instead that Washington is merely regrouping.

U.S. oil futures rose more than 4 percent to over $82 a barrel, and Brent crude climbed past $88 a barrel after the military confirmed the Iranian strike.

Earlier on Tuesday, oil prices had been falling as the Washington‑led pause on strikes against Iran persisted, with traders watching closely for any sign of revived negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz and its maritime traffic have been a recurring focus for Trump, who has repeatedly accused Iran of obstructing certain vessels.

Iran maintains that it has the legal right to regulate shipping through the waterway.

On Wednesday, the IRGC announced via Tasnim news agency that it had intercepted and halted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the vessels persisted on an unsafe and unauthorized course despite prior warnings.

Oman has offered Iran a joint‑management plan for the strait’s traffic, which Tehran has declined.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state TV that Tehran refused to divide the transit lanes equally.

He added that Iran instead proposed overseeing traffic on its own side of the strait, leaving Muscat to control only a portion of the opposite lane.

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