Tensions are flaring once again in the Middle East. US Central Command announced overnight Tuesday that in close coordination with the Saudi Arabian military, it carried out targeted strikes against pro-Iranian militia targets in eastern Iraq. The joint operation came just hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan.
According to Central Command’s statement, the strikes targeted logistics sites and weapons depots belonging to militias that were operating under the direction of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to attack American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. US defense officials said the operation was a response to more than 30 drone attacks carried out over the past 72 hours against American forces and Saudi oil facilities, and noted with satisfaction that all attempts to hit US forces failed.
Saudi Joins Retaliation
Meanwhile, Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Turki al-Maliki confirmed that the Saudi Air Force participated in the strikes in full coordination with the US military. He said the targets were linked to militias that carried out recent attacks on the kingdom’s oil facilities, and emphasized Riyadh’s position: “Saudi Arabia does not seek escalation, but will respond to any aggression directed against it within the framework of its right to self-defense.”
Attacks on U.S. Bases in Jordan
Shortly before, Central Command announced that Iran fired several ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan. All missiles were successfully intercepted and no casualties or damage were reported. This marks Iran’s first attack on a US base since President Donald Trump ordered a halt to military operations against Iran last week to allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
Whether the overnight strikes restore deterrence or trigger another round of retaliation may become clear in the coming hours—but the brief pause in hostilities appears to have already come to an end.