The United States military announced it intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Iran across the Middle East. In a statement on Wednesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple ballistic missiles in an “attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East”. All missiles were intercepted, and “US forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness”, the statement added.
Five missile interceptions were reported over Jordan, according to the Jordan News Agency. The IRGC said its air force targeted a US airbase and Central Command centre in Jordan, “with several ballistic missiles”. “As long as threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and illegal and vicious actions by American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster.
Analysts in Tehran described the escalation as a “pre-emptive attack, not a reactionary measure” from the Iranians. US President Donald Trump had called off a two-week US bombing campaign on Iran on July 24, claiming after that “good talks” were under way with Iran. Trump has threatened to restart strikes if negotiations stagnate, while Iran has denied seeking to resume talks with Washington.
The Iranian attacks targeting US bases came as Trump was meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been pushing for war on Iran, in the White House. “This is Iran sending a message to Trump that they need to be involved in all discussions,” analysts noted. Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said Tehran is “trying to retake the initiative and the momentum with these latest attacks”.
US oil futures jumped more than 4 percent to more than $82 a barrel, while Brent crude futures went to more than $88 a barrel after the US military confirmed the Iranian attack. The Strait of Hormuz and its shipping traffic have been major talking points for Trump, who has decried Iran’s blocking of some vessels. On Wednesday, the IRGC said it “struck and stopped” three oil tankers in Hormuz, according to Tasnim news agency.
Source: www.aljazeera.com