Jordan’s military said its air defenses destroyed five missiles launched from Iran as renewed fighting ended a brief lull and prompted warnings of further U.S. and Saudi retaliation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Jordanian air defenses intercepted and destroyed five missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday as renewed hostilities across the Middle East brought an abrupt end to a three-day pause in publicly announced attacks.
The Jordanian military confirmed the interceptions in a statement, saying all five missiles had been “intercepted and destroyed.” The launches came hours after U.S. Central Command reported that American forces had defeated a separate Iranian ballistic missile barrage aimed at U.S. personnel in the region.
The attacks unfolded alongside coordinated U.S. and Saudi military operations against Iran-backed militias in eastern Iraq. American officials said U.S. and Saudi aircraft struck weapons and logistics facilities used by groups accused of launching more than 30 drone attacks during the previous 72 hours.
“U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” U.S. Central Command said, referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
CENTCOM warned that additional attacks on American forces or Saudi energy infrastructure could result in further military action.
The command said U.S. forces “remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness” and issued a direct warning to Tehran and the armed groups it supports.
The Revolutionary Guard “and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,” CENTCOM said.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its participation in the strikes and said the kingdom was prepared to defend itself while seeking to avoid a broader conflict.
“The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” the ministry said in a social media statement.
A U.S. official said Iran launched its ballistic missiles before the American and Saudi strikes in Iraq and stressed that the two operations were not connected. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the military activity.
The renewed fighting followed approximately three days in which neither the United States nor Iran publicly announced attacks, offering a brief respite after weeks of escalating confrontation centered partly on the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying about 20% of globally traded oil under normal conditions. Disruption in or around the strait has raised concerns about shipping security, energy supplies and the possibility of a wider regional war.
The latest escalation comes during a difficult period for President Donald Trump, whose administration is facing growing questions about the conflict’s human and financial costs. Four U.S. service members have died during recent fighting, while the Pentagon has asked Congress for additional funding to cover mounting military expenses.
Some lawmakers have become increasingly skeptical of continued operations as attacks involving Iran, its regional allies and U.S. forces expand across several countries.
Wednesday’s missile interceptions and the U.S.-Saudi strikes demonstrated that the brief pause had not produced a lasting reduction in hostilities. Jordan’s destruction of the five Iranian missiles also underscored the widening regional role of air defense systems as governments attempt to prevent incoming weapons from reaching military and civilian targets.
With Washington and Riyadh warning of further retaliation and Iran continuing to launch missiles and direct proxy attacks, the risk of another round of escalation remains high.
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