US, Saudis hit Iraq after Iran missile barrage intercepted

The US military intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile attack aimed at American forces in Jordan on Tuesday, breaking a brief weekend lull in hostilities. In a coordinated response, US and Saudi warplanes struck targets in Iraq used by Iran-backed militias, killing several people, according to Iraqi security sources. The rapid escalation also saw Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil prices above $88 a barrel.

The Attempted Surprise Attack

US Central Command reported that multiple ballistic missiles launched from Iran were heading toward a US base in Jordan, but all were successfully intercepted. A US official cited by Axios confirmed the target was an American facility in Jordan. Washington characterized the launch as an "attempted surprise attack" by Tehran, warning that any further attacks on US troops or Saudi energy infrastructure would trigger immediate retaliation. The missile salvo shattered a short-lived ceasefire that had seen both sides hold fire over the weekend after nearly two weeks of nightly US strikes on Iranian positions and repeated Iranian drone and missile salvos against US allies in the Gulf.

Joint Strikes in Iraq

Hours after thwarting the missile attack, US and Saudi warplanes conducted airstrikes against sites in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militias. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state security service with Iranian influence, said the strikes killed and wounded several of its members. The US and Saudi governments accused these militias of launching drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities in recent days. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered a security investigation into the alleged attacks, emphasizing that Iraq would not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for assaults on neighboring countries. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, denied involvement in the drone strikes and suggested the Houthis in Yemen were responsible.

Maritime Tensions and Oil Price Spike

The crisis extended to key waterways as Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have struck and halted three "violating" oil tankers sailing an "illegal" route in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported the incident, which immediately pushed Brent crude oil prices up to around $88 per barrel. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, threatening another vital maritime choke point. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that a tanker heard explosions while traveling in the southern Red Sea, though no damage or injuries were confirmed. Last week, Houthi forces fired on at least one Saudi tanker in the Red Sea, heightening concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

Diplomatic and Geopolitical Implications

The renewed hostilities come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, though Israel has so far stayed out of the direct confrontation between the US and Iran. The weekend lull had raised hopes of de-escalation, with former President Donald Trump suggesting progress in negotiations. However, Tuesday's events indicate that the conflict remains volatile. The US has reiterated its commitment to defending its forces and partners, while Iran continues to project power through its proxies. The combination of missile attacks, airstrikes, and maritime provocations suggests that the region faces a prolonged period of instability, with potential repercussions for global energy markets and broader international security.