The US military has initiated attacks against Iran following an attempted surprise assault on its forces in the Middle East. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the strikes on social media as a “powerful response” to Iranian attacks targeting a US military base in Jordan and American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
This recent escalation follows the first joint operation by the US and Saudi Arabia publicly targeting Iran-backed groups based in Iraq. In February, when the US and Israel began military operations against Iran, then-President Donald Trump predicted the conflict would end within weeks. However, five months later, there is still no indication of an end to the war.
After a few comparatively calm days earlier this week, hostilities have intensified once again. During the brief pause in attacks, hopes were raised for renewed diplomatic talks aimed at resolving the conflict. Trump described such discussions as “very cordial,” but Tehran was clear that no negotiations had taken place. Prior to Wednesday’s strikes, Trump warned that the US would respond forcefully to any attacks against its forces.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for attacks on a US airbase and command center in Jordan, describing them as retaliation for “aggressive behavior” by US forces. Earlier this week, a three-day ceasefire had briefly reduced conflict intensity. CENTCOM stated that in response to “more than 30 drone attacks directed by the IRGC,” the joint US-Saudi strikes on Tuesday targeted “multiple terrorist weapons and munitions storage facilities” in eastern Iraq.
