Iran launches missiles at U.S. base for first time since Trump paused strikes
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Iranian ballistic missiles displayed in Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24. Photo: Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images
Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward a U.S. military base in Jordan on Tuesday in what U.S. Central Command described as an "attempted surprise attack."
Why it matters: This marks Iran's first ballistic missile attack against a U.S. base in the region since President Trump paused strikes against Iran on Friday to give diplomacy another chance.
- The attack threatens to unravel the fragile pause and could force Trump to decide whether to resume military action.
What they're saying: Trump told Axios on Monday that the U.S. was in "very deep talks" with Iran but warned that he would return to "very strong military action" if diplomacy failed.
- "Not much time," Trump said when asked how long he was willing to give the negotiations. "Either it goes fast or not at all."
State of play: CENTCOM said forces from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched the missiles at 5:45pm ET.
- "U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness," the command said.
The latest: CENTCOM said Tuesday evening that U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq in response to what it described as more than 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks over the previous 72 hours.
- Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry later confirmed it participated in the strikes, saying they were coordinated with CENTCOM.
- CENTCOM said the attacks on U.S. forces were unsuccessful.
- There were more than 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities in Iraq by Iran-aligned militias between February and April, according to CENTCOM.
- "The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response," CENTCOM added.
The big picture: Earlier this month, Iran targeted a U.S. airbase in Jordan, killing two U.S. service members in a missile and drone barrage, prompting Trump to intensify what became a 13-night campaign of strikes.
- Tuesday's ballistic missile attack by Iran came hours after Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for talks focused heavily on Iran. The White House described the meeting as "positive and productive."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
