Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East on Tuesday evening, and all were intercepted, according to U.S. Central Command.
The IRGC launched the attack at 5:45 PM Eastern time. CENTCOM confirmed the interception in official statements and said U.S. forces remained at high readiness.
The U.S. Response
Following the missile strike, U.S. and Saudi Arabian fighter aircraft conducted precision strikes across eastern Iraq targeting IRGC-directed weapons storage and logistics sites. The strikes targeted infrastructure linked to more than 30 drone attacks launched in the previous 72 hours.
The coordinated response marked a significant shift in regional military cooperation. Saudi fighter jets flew alongside American aircraft in the operation, signaling Riyadh’s commitment to countering Iranian proxy activities.
Pattern of Attacks
The missile attack came after months of escalating Iranian-aligned militia operations in Iraq. Between February and April, Iran-backed groups conducted over 600 attempted attacks against U.S. citizens and facilities in the region.
U.S. officials characterized the campaign as coordinated and IRGC-directed rather than isolated incidents. The sustained operations targeted American bases and personnel operating across the Middle East.
Regional Security Implications
Saudi Arabia’s direct military participation signals a strengthening coalition against Iranian regional activities. The kingdom has faced repeated attacks on its energy infrastructure from Iranian proxies.
The sequence of events-missile launch, interception, and retaliatory strikes-demonstrated the U.S. military’s defensive and offensive capabilities in the region. Officials stated further attacks would result in additional responses.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Staff contributed to this report.
