The United States conducted airstrikes inside Iran on Wednesday night in response to an attempted ballistic missile attack by Iran on American forces. U.S. Central Command stated that the strikes were a response to the attempted attack, which occurred on Tuesday at approximately 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time. All missiles launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were intercepted, with no reported casualties or damage.
This marks the first U.S. military action inside Iran since President Donald Trump paused airstrikes to allow for diplomatic efforts. The missile launch by Iran ended that pause and resumed direct military exchanges between the two nations. Trump indicated earlier that the U.S. would respond strongly to Iran's actions.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that the surprise nature of Iran's attack indicates a shift in its military strategy, suggesting a more confident and potentially dangerous approach from Tehran. He emphasized that the U.S. must treat all Iranian missile attacks seriously, regardless of their success.
The conflict has escalated, with Iran also targeting commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have conducted joint strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq following drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. This development marks a significant acknowledgment of Saudi Arabia's involvement in military actions alongside the U.S.
The renewed hostilities complicate ongoing negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran has rejected proposals for joint management of the waterway. The situation follows a previous Iranian attack in July that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members in Jordan. Experts warn that Iran may believe it can absorb U.S. retaliation and dictate the terms of the conflict.