WASHINGTON — A dangerous new escalation between the United States and Iran unfolded across the Middle East after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple ballistic missiles toward U.S. forces, according to U.S. Central Command.
The July 28 attack triggered an immediate military response, with American and Saudi forces carrying out coordinated airstrikes against Iran-aligned militant groups in Iraq.
CENTCOM said the IRGC launched the missiles from Iran in what it described as an attempted surprise attack against U.S. forces stationed in the region. According to the command, all of the Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted, and American forces remained on high alert.
The missile attack came as the broader U.S.-Iran conflict continued to expand across the region, increasing the risk of further strikes involving American forces, Iranian military units and armed groups aligned with Tehran.
Hours later, U.S. and Saudi forces conducted precision strikes against what CENTCOM described as Iran-backed militant sites in eastern Iraq. The targets included facilities allegedly used for weapons and logistics by groups directed by the IRGC. Reuters reported that the operation was presented by the U.S. military as an effort to disrupt threats against American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia added another significant dimension to the confrontation, placing one of Washington’s key regional partners directly alongside U.S. forces in the operation.
The Pentagon has maintained a substantial military presence throughout the Middle East. CENTCOM said more than 50,000 U.S. service members were deployed across the region and remained prepared to respond to additional threats.
The United States also launched a major wave of strikes against IRGC targets in Iran on July 29, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities. CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out in response to the attempted missile attacks the previous day.
The latest exchanges demonstrate how quickly the conflict can spread beyond the immediate U.S.-Iran confrontation, drawing in regional partners and Iran-aligned armed groups.
With missiles launched at American positions, retaliatory strikes hitting Iranian military targets and fighting involving Iran-backed groups in Iraq, the possibility of another round of escalation remains a major concern across the Middle East.
