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The United States military says it has intercepted an Iranian-launched missile across the Middle East.
In a statement on X Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will launch several missiles “in an attempt to launch a surprise attack on US forces stationed in the Middle East”.
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All the missiles were recovered, and “the US military remains alert and ready,” he said.
Five ballistic missiles were reported in Jordan, according to the Jordan News Agency.
The IRGC said its forces were targeting US and Central Command air bases in Jordan, “with several missiles”.
“As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue, and the illegal activities of the American government against our interests continue, the resistance will continue,” the IRGC said in a statement published by Iranian broadcaster IRIB.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar said the latest escalation appears to be a “preliminary attack, not a reaction”, from the Iranians.
US President Donald Trump called off a two-week US campaign against Iran on July 24, saying “good talks” were underway with Iran.
“After 13 consecutive days of continuous bombings, bombings in the US-Iran, this latest attack will have a significant impact on the mediation process,” Al Jazeera’s Serdar said.
Trump has threatened to re-ignite tensions if talks do not go well, while Iran has refused to resume talks with Washington.
‘Sending a message’
Iran’s attacks on US bases came as Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been pushing for war on Iran, at the White House.
“This is Iran sending a message to Mr. Trump that he needs to participate in all negotiations,” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher said in Washington, DC.
“It was reported in Israel that Netanyahu was willing to ask the question of Pickaxe Mountain. The Israelis said that there has been construction going on there; they believe that the Iranians are developing another nuclear weapon”, he said.
Jason Campbell, head of the Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera that Tehran is “trying to re-engage with and encourage these latest protests”.
“Iran has expressed suspicion that the US is doing this in the midst of violence to prepare for another round of violence, so Tehran thinks that the US is doing this as a last resort,” he said.
US oil futures jumped more than 4 percent to $82 a barrel, while Brent crude futures went above $88 a barrel after the US military confirmed the attack on Iran.
Oil prices fell earlier on Tuesday as Washington called off further protests against Iran, with traders eyeing reports of new talks.
The crisis in Hormuz continues
The Strait of Hormuz and its shipping lanes have been a major talking point for Trump, who has criticized Iran for blocking certain ships.
Iran says it is within its rights to control shipping through the strait.
On Wednesday, the IRGC said it had “hit and disabled” three oil tankers in Hormuz, according to the Tasnim news agency.
It added that the tanks “will continue to move in an unsafe and illegal manner, ignoring our warnings”.
Oman has proposed to Iran to jointly control traffic, but Iran has refused.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television that Tehran has refused to share the crossings equally.
Instead, he said, Tehran decided to monitor ships on its side of the strait, while Muscat would monitor some but not all channels.
