The United States and Saudi Arabia announced late Tuesday that they struck Iranian‑aligned Iraqi militias operating in eastern Iraq, following an Iranian rocket deployment against U.S. forces stationed in Jordan.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Saudi Ministry of Defense attributed the recent wave of drone incursions into eastern and central Saudi Arabia to these militias, alleging that roughly thirty strikes were carried out under orders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over a 72‑hour period.
The Riyadh Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces conducted the strikes in coordination with the United States, stating that the kingdom is not pursuing escalation but is prepared to respond to further attacks. A U.S. spokesperson estimated the operation took place between 7 and 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Immediate outcomes of the joint offensive remain undetermined.
Earlier Wednesday, the IRGC fired several ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in Jordan, according to the Pentagon’s Middle East regional command.
At 5:45 p.m. ET that day, U.S. Central Command reported that the IRGC had launched several ballistic missiles from Iran in a surprise attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East. “All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. U.S. forces remain vigilant and maintain a high state of readiness,” CENTCOM stated.
The rockets were aimed at facilities supporting U.S. troops in Jordan, including the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, according to individuals familiar with the strike.
An earlier Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti earlier this month had killed three U.S. Army soldiers and wounded others.
This missile incident followed a lull in hostilities, after the White House had suspended daily strikes on Iranian military sites in an unsuccessful attempt to curb Iran’s drone attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Those shipping attacks had also paused last week.
The temporary quiet had hinted at the possibility of a thaw following both sides’ declarationsNT that the ceasefire agreement was void. The latest exchanges, however, further dampen prospects for a smooth return to negotiations.
Iranian media outlet Tasnim, which is linked to the IRGC, contested CENTCOM’s Ernest that all missiles were intercepted, although it provided no supporting evidence.
