US Central Command says it intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles fired at US forces in the Middle East on Tuesday, shattering a short pause in nearly two weeks of fighting.
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Key facts
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces at 5.45pm ET Tuesday, according to Centcom.
- Centcom said all missiles were intercepted.
- The attack broke a brief pause in nearly two weeks of nightly US strikes on Iran.
- Both sides have been battling for control of the strait of Hormuz.
- Mediators were trying to get both sides back to negotiations toward a ceasefire.
Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East late on Tuesday, breaking a brief pause in fighting as mediators tried to bring both sides back to negotiations, the US military said.
In a post on X, US Central Command (Centcom) said that “at 5.45pm ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East.”
Centcom said the attack originated from Iran and that all of the missiles were intercepted, according to CNBC.
The strikes came after fighting had been paused following nearly two weeks of nightly US strikes on Iran, according to the Guardian. During that period, both sides battled for control of the strait of Hormuz.
The Guardian reported that mediators had been working to get both sides back to the negotiating table and toward a ceasefire when the missiles were launched, shattering the brief lull in hostilities.
Why it matters
An escalation between the US and Iran in the Middle East raises the risk of a wider conflict, particularly around the strategically vital strait of Hormuz. The reported interception of the missiles may limit immediate damage, but the attack threatens efforts by mediators to secure a ceasefire.
Frequently asked questions
Were the Iranian missiles intercepted?
Yes. Centcom said in a post on X that all of the missiles were intercepted, according to CNBC.
When did the attack take place?
Centcom said the missiles were launched at 5.45pm ET on Tuesday.
What had been happening before the attack?
According to the Guardian, fighting had been paused after nearly two weeks of nightly US strikes on Iran, with both sides battling for control of the strait of Hormuz and mediators trying to reach a ceasefire.
Timeline
- U.S. strikes Iran after surprise missile attack, dashing hopes of de-escalation
CNBC Top News: The U.S. forces began launching strikes against Iran Wednesday stateside, plunging the two sides back into open conflict after a days-long pause.
- U.S. resumes strikes against Iran, retaliating against surprise missile attack
CNBC Top News: The U.S. forces began launching strikes against Iran Wednesday stateside, plunging the two sides back into open conflict after a days-long pause.
- Trump says U.S. will give Iran a 'beating' after surprise attack
CNBC Top News: Centcom in a post on X said that the attack originated from Iran, but all missiles were intercepted.
- US thwarts ‘surprise’ Iran missile attack, and joins forces with Saudis to hit targets in Iraq
The Guardian World: Oil price spikes after flare-up of fighting and claimed Iranian attacks on three tankers in strait of Hormuz The US military said it knocked down an Iranian missile barrage and worked with Saudi Arabia forces to strike sites in Iraq that Tehran-backed militias have used to launch
- Iran launches surprise ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East
CNBC Top News: Centcom in a post on X said that the attack originated from Iran, but all missiles were intercepted.
- US says it intercepted ‘surprise’ Iran missile attack on its forces in Middle East after lull in fighting
The Guardian World: Fighting was paused after nearly two weeks of nightly strikes by the US on Iran, as both sides battled for control of the strait of Hormuz Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East late on Tuesday, shattering a brief pause in fighting as mediators