Iran fires missiles at US forces as American and Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias escalate tensions in Middle East
Iran launched a missile attack against U.S. forces in the Middle East Wednesday as American and Saudi forces carried out strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and escalating tensions across the region.
Six Iranian military advisers were also reported killed in the U.S.-Saudi strikes, according to Iraqi militia officials. The renewed fighting came after several days of relative calm and raised fears that the conflict could once again expand into a larger war.
The latest escalation highlighted the challenges of ending a five-month conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and faced growing opposition among many Americans. The continued fighting has also increased concerns about U.S. military resources and supplies of advanced weapons needed to protect American forces and allies.
President Donald Trump said the United States would respond forcefully to Iran’s attacks, warning that Tehran would face consequences for targeting American positions.
The strikes followed accusations from Saudi Arabia that Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched drone attacks against Saudi oil facilities. A coalition of Iraqi militias denied involvement, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for separate attacks against Saudi energy sites.
Diplomatic efforts had been underway to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations, but those efforts were disrupted by renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies. A regional official said mediators were still working to restore calm and revive ceasefire efforts.
The renewed hostilities sent oil prices higher, with international crude prices rising more than 3%.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard said it launched ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a major U.S. military facility in the region. Jordan’s military said it intercepted and destroyed five Iranian missiles, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The U.S. military later confirmed that American and Saudi aircraft struck weapons and logistics facilities in eastern Iraq in response to drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
The Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-aligned armed groups operating within Iraq’s security structure, said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others wounded in the strikes.
Iraqi officials condemned the U.S.-Saudi operation, calling it a violation of the country’s sovereignty and accusing foreign forces of targeting official security institutions. Iraq’s National Security Council said civilians and security personnel were among those killed and wounded.
A planned visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Saudi Arabia was postponed as tensions increased.
The conflict has also expanded into another key maritime region, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels declaring a blockade of Saudi shipping routes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The group claimed it carried out drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, including facilities linked to the transport of crude exports.
Saudi Arabia’s oil industry has faced repeated attacks in recent years, raising concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies. A major oil processing facility and a refinery near the Red Sea were reportedly damaged in recent attacks, with repairs expected to take days.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the biggest points of tension in the conflict. Iran rejected a proposal from Oman to jointly manage shipping through the waterway, instead suggesting a temporary arrangement that would allow vessels to pass through Iranian waters.
Iran said the strait would not return to its previous status before the conflict, when international shipping moved freely through the strategic passage.
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