Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Jordan on Tuesday, marking an escalation that threatens ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. Central Command said all missiles were successfully intercepted with no casualties or damage reported at the base. The strike was carried out by forces belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at approximately 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
The attack comes one week after President Donald Trump paused offensive military operations to pursue negotiations with Iran. Trump told Axios on Monday that the U.S. remains engaged in “very deep talks” with Iran but signaled limited patience for diplomacy. “Not much time,” Trump said when asked about the timeline for negotiations.
What Happened
CENTCOM reported that the IRGC launched the ballistic missiles in what it described as an “attempted surprise attack” on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. “U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The missile strike follows a deadly assault earlier this month when Iran targeted a U.S. air base in Jordan with combined missile and drone attacks that killed two American service members. That incident prompted Trump to authorize a 13-night military campaign targeting Iranian-linked sites.
Hours after Tuesday’s attack, CENTCOM announced that U.S. and Saudi military aircraft carried out strikes against multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq. Those targets were linked to Iran-backed forces responsible for more than 30 drone attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities during the previous 72 hours.
At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 28, 2026
The Response
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its participation in the operation, saying the strikes were coordinated with U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM said all of the recent drone attacks against American forces had been unsuccessful.
Military officials warned that attacks by Iranian-backed groups have remained persistent. According to CENTCOM, there were more than 600 attempted attacks against U.S. citizens and facilities in Iraq between February and April by militias aligned with Iran.
“The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
What This Means
Tuesday’s strike occurred just hours after Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where Iran was described as one of the primary topics of discussion. The Trump administration continues pursuing diplomacy while warning that further attacks by Iran or its proxies could trigger renewed American military action.
Whether Iran’s latest action represents an isolated escalation or the beginning of a broader confrontation remains unclear. The incident underscores the continued volatility in the Middle East and the risks facing U.S. forces stationed throughout the region.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Wire contributed to this report.