Washington: The US military announced the completion of a two-hour operation targeting dozens of Iranian sites, in retaliation for Iran's missile launches aimed at American forces in the Middle East. The strikes, which hit military command centers, drone and missile facilities, and coastal defense sites, were described by Washington as a "powerful response" to the Iranian aggression.
According to France24.com, the US military reported intercepting multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran towards US forces, which Washington labeled as "an attempted surprise attack" by Tehran. Iran confirmed its missile attacks on US bases in Jordan, prompting President Donald Trump to declare a robust retaliatory response.
The US Central Command detailed the strikes on social media, emphasizing them as a significant counteraction to the previous day's Iranian attempts to attack US forces stationed in the Middle East. The strikes commenced at 8 pm ET on Wednesday and concluded at 10 pm ET, targeting key Iranian military infrastructure.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced collaborative strikes on militant bases in Iraq, as US ally Israel accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of breaching a truce. Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil exporter, reported drone attacks on its oil facilities, attributing them to Iranian-aligned Iraqi groups.
Iran's state television reported a US strike in the Piranshahr border area, with the Fars news agency noting a missile impact in an uninhabited region, resulting in no casualties. Meanwhile, Jordan's army claimed to have intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at US bases, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards asserting their continued resistance against perceived threats.
In a related development, Israel accused Hezbollah of deploying a drone against an Israeli vehicle in Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement. While Israel has supported US efforts against Iran, it has not joined the latest military actions.
The US and Saudi forces conducted a joint air operation in Iraq, targeting logistics and weapons sites tied to Iran-aligned groups, following attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The Hashed al-Shaabi alliance in Iraq reported casualties, including Iranian advisors, and condemned the strikes as an escalation against an official security institution.
Iraq voiced its rejection of the US-Saudi strikes, emphasizing the need to protect its sovereignty. Despite this, Trump stated that the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government, following US pressure on Iraq to disarm pro-Iran groups.
The recent military actions coincide with broader geopolitical tensions, including Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The US has imposed new sanctions on entities linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, accused of extorting ships passing through the strait, underscoring the significance of the Red Sea as an alternative route for Riyadh's exports.