U.S. Downs Iranian Missiles, Hits Militias With Saudi Arabia

U.S. Central Command reported Tuesday that air and missile defenses intercepted all Iranian missiles aimed at American forces in the Middle East. In coordination with Saudi Arabia, U.S. and Saudi aircraft then hit logistics and weapons sites used by Tehran-aligned militias in eastern Iraq. The military warned that further attacks on U.S. personnel or Saudi energy infrastructure could prompt more action.

A U.S. official indicated Iran’s ballistic missile launch occurred before the joint strikes in Iraq and described the events as unconnected. Tehran issued no immediate public response.

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Saudi Arabia reported a second straight day of intercepts against drones targeting petroleum facilities in the kingdom’s eastern region. The Defense Ministry stated, “The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces.”

In Baghdad, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed security agencies to investigate after Riyadh reported the drone attacks. Iraq’s military affirmed a commitment to prevent its territory from being used to threaten neighboring countries. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected involvement and suggested Yemen’s Houthi group carried out earlier strikes.

The Houthis claimed they fired missiles at the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal in the southern Red Sea, forcing it to reverse course, and last week announced a blockade of Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. A regional maritime coordination center logged a report from a tanker that heard explosions in the area and confirmed the vessel and crew were safe; the ship was not identified. The rebels fired on at least one Saudi tanker in the Red Sea last week.

Central Command linked the Iraq strikes to “over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” and added that the Revolutionary Guard “and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response.” The command did not disclose how many missiles Iran launched or the locations of the intercepts. U.S. forces “remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness,” the statement noted.

The renewed exchanges ended a brief lull after weeks of tension around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow channel off Iran that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil. Earlier in the conflict, Iran disrupted shipping by firing on or threatening vessels, while the United States arranged escorts along a southern route near Oman. Iran reported that previous U.S. strikes destroyed an airport and a marine control tower and damaged 12 bridges and two tunnels.

In Washington, President Donald Trump stated that Iran understands he will “finish the job” if its leaders do not agree to end the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Trump at the White House for the first time since the conflict with Iran began on Feb. 28. The U.S. government has not reported Israeli involvement in the recent exchanges.

Rising costs and casualties have intensified domestic pressure. Four U.S. service members have been killed in recent weeks, and the Pentagon is seeking additional funds from Congress to cover operations. The House narrowly approved a resolution last week to halt military action in Iran. Gasoline prices tied to shipping disruptions near Hormuz have added to political concerns ahead of the midterm elections.

As missile and drone attacks continue, the state of U.S. interceptor stockpiles has drawn scrutiny. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell countered concerns, asserting the military “has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the president’s choosing.”

Saudi Arabia reiterated that it seeks to avoid a wider fight while pledging to protect territory and energy assets. Iraq restated its vow to prevent its soil from being used to attack neighbors. Iran has yet to comment publicly on the intercepted missile volley or the reported strikes on militia sites in Iraq.