The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) late Tuesday, launched multiple ballistic missiles and drones at U.S. military bases in Jordan, an operation U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described as an "attempted surprise attack" on U.S. forces in the Middle East.
At 2145 UTC (5:45 p.m. ET, July 28), IRGC forces fired multiple ballistic missiles from Khomein (a city in central Iran known for missile-related sites) toward U.S. targets, including around the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq and a CENTCOM center in Jordan. This marked the first ballistic missile attack on a U.S. base in the region since President Trump ordered a pause on U.S. strikes against Iran on July 24, 2026, to allow for diplomatic negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM claimed in a statement that all Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted, with no reported damage or casualties to U.S. forces.
"At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness," CENTCOM wrote on X.
Iranian media outlet IRNA published a statement confirming the barrage aimed at the U.S. air base and Central Command node in Jordan, declaring: "As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and the illegal and evil actions of the American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue."
Meanwhile CENTCOM also announced on X that U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces conducted precision strikes in eastern Iraq against sites linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The attacks targeted Iran-aligned militants directed by the IRGC to launch over 30 aerial drone attacks in the previous 72 hours, as well as to attack Saudi energy infrastructure, CENTCOM claimed. The strikes destroyed several logistics hubs and weapons storage facilities used by IRGC-backed militias part of the PMF network.
The Saudi Defense Ministry confirmed its participation, stating it reserved the right to defend itself after Iranian-backed militias launched drones at oil facilities in the Eastern Province. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, stated that Saudi Arabia coordinated directly with CENTCOM in exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
PMF reported attacks on their Basra Operations Command around 2 a.m. local time, wounding at least two members.
Tensions also flared in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels claimed to have fired missiles at a Saudi oil tanker for violating a Houthi blockade, and in the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC reported striking three oil tankers.
The region had seen intense fighting since late February, with the U.S. carrying out 13 nights of airstrikes against Iran in late July to degrade its ability to disrupt shipping. President Trump paused the campaign to engage in "very deep talks" with Tehran, warning that failure would result in **"very strong military action."
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President Donald Trump ordered a halt to U.S. military strikes on Iran on Friday, ending a 13-day streak of consecutive nightly attacks to create space for diplomatic negotiations. He reportedly met with advisers to discuss potential escalation and weighed whether to launch a "massive attack;" as military officials raised worries about U.S. readiness for wider conflicts with adversaries like China.
The decision came shortly after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump telling reporters at the White House he preferred to "make a deal" while keeping the military "locked and loaded."
"We're talking to [the Iranians] right now. I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by. We're locked and loaded and ready to go, but we're talking to them," Trump said.
Later on Friday, during his remarks at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, Trump said he didn't think Iran is ready to make a deal at the moment, "but I'm willing to listen."
The Israeli security cabinet and Israel Defense Force reportedly expected another round of U.S. strikes on Friday and prepared for a massive U.S. attack that could trigger a retaliatory attack on Israel, Israeli officials say.
Trump's decision comes at a critical juncture as regional conflict spreads, maritime blockades persist, and U.S. ammunition stockpile depletes. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has maintained an active maritime blockade to prevent tankers from entering or exiting Iranian oil terminals (such as Kharg Island).
As part of the blockade operations, U.S. forces targeted non-compliant oil tankers—including firing a Hellfire missile directly into the engine room of a vessel attempting to run the blockade—disabling its propulsion system without sinking the ship. Dozens of vessels have been turned back or redirected, according to CENTCOM.
Meanwhile the conflict is escalating on another front, as Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched coordinated ballistic missile and drone strikes overnight on Saturday, targeting major Saudi Aramco refining facilities in Jizan and Yanbu along the Red Sea. Satellite thermal imaging and geolocated footage confirmed active fires and smoke plumes at the Jizan refinery complex.
With transit through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, attacks on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea oil infrastructure directly threaten alternative export routes, compounding global energy market volatility.
Regional mediators are currently pressing for an extended cease-fire or de-escalation off-ramp, as threat of all out war remains high across CENTCOM's area of responsibility.
The ceasefire broke down in early July 2026 after Iranian forces attacked non-compliant commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran accused the US of breaking the memorandum of understanding.
The US responded with renewed strikes on Iranian military targets (air defenses, command sites, small boats, radars, etc.) to protect navigation. This led to multiple nights of US action, Iranian retaliation (including on US bases), and blockade enforcement. CENTCOM conducted strikes on Iran for roughly 13 consecutive nights until Friday, targeting capabilities threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
