Jordan’s military reported that its air defenses intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday. This occurred hours after the U.S. military stated it had downed an Iranian missile barrage targeting American forces in the Middle East, ending a brief lull in hostilities.
In a statement, the Jordanian military confirmed the missiles were "intercepted and destroyed." Previously, U.S. Central Command indicated that forces "remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness," adding that they collaborated with Saudi Arabia’s forces to target sites in Iraq utilized by Tehran-backed militias for recent attacks.
When announcing the strikes in Iraq, the United States issued a warning that further assaults on American troops or Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure could result in additional action.
A period of calm had existed between the United States and Iran; neither side announced attacks for approximately three days following weeks of escalation concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf waterway and narrow chokepoint through which 20% of global traded oil typically flows.
The fighting intensified toward the end of a month marked by several pressures on U.S. President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, four U.S. troops were killed during the conflict, while the Pentagon sought funding from an increasingly skeptical Congress to cover rising operational costs.
According to a U.S. official who spoke anonymously regarding sensitive military operations, Iran launched its ballistic missile attack before American and Saudi forces conducted strikes in Iraq, emphasizing that the two events were unrelated.
U.S. Central Command stated that "U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours," using the acronym for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
The command further asserted that the Revolutionary Guard "and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response."
The Saudi Defense Ministry acknowledged the strikes via a social media post, cautioning that "the Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces."