US Foils Iranian Missile Attack, Launches Strikes Against Iraq Militias

The US military thwarted an Iranian missile attack and launched strikes with Saudi Arabia against militias in Iraq, shattering a brief pause in fighting. The US Central Command said all Iranian missiles launched against American forces in the Middle East were intercepted.

In announcing the strikes in Iraq, the US warned that further attacks on American troops or Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure risked additional action. This comes after four US troops died during the fighting and the Pentagon asked Congress for money to cover the conflict's ballooning costs.

The US and Iran had experienced a period of calm following weeks of escalation over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, but tensions remained high even as officials said mediators achieved progress in getting the two sides back to negotiations. The Revolutionary Guard 'and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,' the US Central Command said.