Iran Missile Barrage Thwarted as US and Saudis Strike Back in Iraq
The US military has thwarted what it called an 'attempted surprise attack' by Iran, intercepting multiple ballistic missiles launched at American forces in the Middle East. The Iranian barrage was aimed at a US base in Jordan, according to a US official quoted by Axios.
US forces in the region worked with Saudi Arabia's military to strike targets in Iraq used by Tehran-backed militias to launch attacks on US and Saudi assets. The joint operation resulted in several casualties, according to the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state security service infiltrated by Iran.
The clash marked a return to hostilities after a brief lull, with both sides trading blows in recent weeks. Oil prices rose in response to the escalation, reaching around $88 per barrel as Brent crude futures hovered near that level.
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed all Iranian missiles launched on Tuesday were intercepted, and warned of retaliatory strikes against any further attacks on American troops or Saudi energy infrastructure.