Iran Missiles Target US Forces, Prompting Joint Strikes in Iraq

Missile fire and retaliatory strikes have broken a brief lull in fighting between the United States and Iran-aligned groups, raising the risk that diplomacy over the Strait of Hormuz and related security issues will collapse. US Central Command reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple ballistic missiles toward American forces in the Middle East on Tuesday evening, with all projectiles intercepted. The same command stated that US and Saudi aircraft then struck logistics and weapons sites used by Iran-backed militias in eastern Iraq after more than 30 drone attacks on US personnel and Saudi energy facilities in the preceding 72 hours.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, an official paramilitary umbrella that includes Iran-aligned units, reported at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded across seven provinces. CENTCOM described the targets as terrorist sites directed by the IRGC and warned that further attacks would draw additional US responses. Saudi officials said the strikes were conducted under the right of self-defense and did not seek broader escalation.

The exchanges occurred hours after President Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the closed-door session positive and productive. Netanyahu has pressed for continued pressure on Iran, including scrutiny of construction at a site referred to as Pickaxe Mountain. Trump has expressed interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and containing oil-price spikes while maintaining Israel’s security.

Oil benchmarks rose more than 4 percent in early trading after the incidents. Iran has asserted the right to regulate traffic through the strait and rejected proposals to divide lanes equally with Oman. The IRGC separately claimed it stopped three tankers it said were traveling an unsafe route. US officials have linked the latest round of fighting to a broader conflict that began with joint US-Israeli operations against Iranian targets at the end of February.

Trump has described recent talks with Iran as friendly yet warned that he would resume strikes if no agreement is reached. Iranian officials have denied that formal negotiations are under way. The sequence leaves unresolved whether the latest strikes will harden positions or create new openings for mediation involving regional states and outside parties.