US intercepts Iranian missile attack as tensions erupt again in Middle East The United States says it has successfully intercepted a surprise barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in the Middle East, marking a sharp escalation just days after Washington paused its air campaign against Tehran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said all of the missiles were destroyed before they reached their targets, with no casualties or damage reported. 'Surprise attack' thwartedAccording to CENTCOM, the attack began at 5:45 p.m. ET when Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple ballistic missiles toward U.S. military positions in the region. "All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted," CENTCOM said in a statement, adding that American forces remain on high alert. A U.S. official later told CNN that initial assessments indicated no more than four ballistic missiles had been fired. US strikes back in IraqHours after intercepting the missiles, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces, working alongside the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, carried out precision strikes against what it described as Iran-backed militant targets in eastern Iraq. The military said the operation targeted logistics hubs and weapons sites linked to groups allegedly directed by the IRGC. According to CENTCOM, the strikes were launched in response to more than 30 drone attacks against U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure over the past 72 hours. Ceasefire hopes under pressureThe missile attack comes only days after President Donald Trump suspended nearly two weeks of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian military targets. The administration had said the campaign was designed to weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said on Monday that Iran had indicated a willingness to return to negotiations. However, Tehran quickly rejected that claim. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei insisted there were currently no direct negotiations with the United States and said discussions were continuing only through Oman on issues relating to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump and Netanyahu meetThe renewed tensions coincided with a closed-door meeting at the White House between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders discussed the next phase of policy toward Iran following months of military confrontation across the region. Neither side has released details of the discussions. Oil prices jumpFinancial markets reacted quickly to news of the missile attack. Oil prices rose as investors weighed the possibility of further disruption in the Middle East. Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed to around $83 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also posted strong gains following reports of the interception. The latest exchange raises fresh concerns that the conflict between the United States and Iran could escalate again despite recent efforts to pause direct military operations, with American forces remaining on heightened alert across the region. SOURCE
