The US military intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran in an attempted surprise attack on American forces in the Middle East, shattering a brief lull in hostilities. The attack occurred at 5:45 PM ET on Tuesday, with all missiles successfully intercepted, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The targeted locations were not disclosed.
The strike came after a two-day pause in hostilities between the US and Iran, which had seen a period of calm following weeks of escalation over the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Saudi Arabia retaliated by striking Iran-aligned terrorist sites in Iraq, citing over 30 Iranian-directed drone attacks in the past 72 hours. Tehran has not yet commented on the incident.
US President Donald Trump had previously indicated a "good chance" of progress in negotiations to end the war, but the latest strikes threaten to derail diplomatic efforts. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key sticking point in talks, with Iran denying the existence of negotiations. Oil prices surged following the renewed hostilities, reflecting market concerns over regional stability.
The attack coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he met with Trump. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting drones targeting its petroleum facilities, alleging they were launched by Iran-affiliated militia groups in Iraq. The US military remains on high alert amid the escalating tensions.