US and Iran trade strikes after brief pause; both sides claim defensive actions
The United States military said on Tuesday that Iran launched 'multiple' ballistic missiles in an 'attempted surprise attack' on American forces in the Middle East, ending a brief lull in hostilities. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that all missiles were 'successfully intercepted' but did not disclose the locations of the targets.
In a separate statement, Centcom said that US and Saudi Arabian forces struck what it described as 'Iran-aligned terrorists' in Iraq in retaliation for Iran-directed drone attacks. Tehran has not yet commented on the incidents.
The reported exchanges mark a breakdown of a temporary halt in fighting between the US and Iran, which had been intended to bring negotiators back to the table. The lull had lasted three days, during which US President Donald Trump spoke of 'very friendly negotiations' with Iran.
According to Centcom, the US and Saudi Arabia struck 'multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites' in eastern Iraq. The US military characterised the action as 'a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours', referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Centcom added that Iran's military 'and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response'.
Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said its military had intercepted and destroyed drones targeting petroleum facilities in the country's eastern region. Defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki alleged that the drones were launched by Iran-affiliated militia groups from Iraqi territory.
The renewed hostilities coincide with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he met Trump at the White House and attended the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent critic of Iran.
A key sticking point in negotiations remains access to and control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran denies is even being discussed.
According to recent Pentagon data, at least 624 US military service members have been wounded since Trump ordered strikes against Iran in February. The Pentagon said 417 of those injuries were related to Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran.
