US launches fresh strikes on Iran as regional war deepens

The United States has launched another wave of military strikes against Iran, marking a sharp escalation in a conflict that has increasingly spread beyond its original battlefronts and drawn more countries across the Middle East into the crisis.

The latest operation began at 8:00 p.m. ET (0000 GMT) on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

“U.S. forces began launching strikes against Iran at 8:00 p.m. ET today (0000 GMT),” U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

“The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.”

CENTCOM later confirmed that the operation targeted dozens of facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including command centres, missile and drone infrastructure, coastal surveillance systems and maritime defence assets. The strikes lasted about two hours, according to U.S. officials.

The renewed bombardment came hours after President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for Iranian missile attacks targeting American troops stationed in the region.

“So it’s our turn,” Trump told reporters at the White House, promising to “hit them very hard” while insisting Washington still sought a diplomatic settlement with Tehran.

Conflict Expands Across the Middle East

Violence intensified on several fronts throughout Wednesday.

A drone struck a U.S.-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey. Egypt's petroleum ministry confirmed a fire at the facility but did not attribute the incident to a drone strike, leaving responsibility unclear.

Elsewhere, U.S. and Saudi forces carried out coordinated strikes against Iran-aligned armed groups in eastern Iraq, while Iran acknowledged launching ballistic missiles at U.S. military positions in Jordan and targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran also rejected an Omani proposal for joint management of the strategic waterway, a critical route through which a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes.

The widening theatre of conflict has heightened concerns that more regional states could become directly involved. Last week, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement declared what it described as a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, adding another flashpoint to the growing crisis.

Oil Prices Surge

Markets reacted swiftly to the deteriorating security situation.

Brent crude climbed more than 8 percent during Wednesday's trading, pushing prices above $90 per barrel as investors weighed the risks of further disruption to global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest rally reversed much of the decline seen earlier in the week after Trump temporarily paused military operations in hopes of reviving diplomatic efforts.

Joint U.S.-Saudi Operation in Iraq

The coordinated strikes in Iraq marked the first publicly acknowledged military operation jointly conducted by Washington and Riyadh against Iran-backed militias.

Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others wounded after multiple bases were hit.

Scenes of mourning unfolded in Iraq as crowds carried the bodies of slain fighters while chanting: “Death to America!”

Washington and Riyadh said the attacks were retaliation for drone strikes launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil facilities.

Following the operation, Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington, where he reportedly urged restraint and warned against widening military operations to include Yemen's Houthis or additional Iran-backed groups in Iraq.

According to two Reuters sources, Saudi officials cautioned that further escalation could trigger "major unknown risks." The White House and the Saudi embassy did not immediately comment. 

Concerns Over U.S. Military Resources

Even as military operations continue, questions are emerging over the sustainability of America's air defence capabilities.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recently estimated that the United States possesses fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptor missiles and under 250 THAAD interceptors, both considered vital components of its regional missile defence network.

Meanwhile, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported that four advisers from Iran's Revolutionary Guards were killed during the strikes in Iraq, although Tehran continues to deny directing attacks from Iraqi territory.

Iraq Walks a Diplomatic Tightrope

The escalating violence has placed Iraq in an increasingly delicate position.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office appealed for restraint, saying Baghdad remains determined to prevent the country from becoming another battlefield in the broader regional conflict.

The Iraqi presidency condemned the strikes on the PMF as "an unacceptable attack and a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty," while also urging armed groups to halt attacks against neighbouring states.

The crisis comes as hundreds of thousands of Iranian pilgrims travel to Iraq for annual religious commemorations, underscoring the deep political, religious and cultural ties between the two Shiite-majority nations.

Earlier in the day, Jordan's military said it intercepted five Iranian missiles aimed at its territory. Iran's Revolutionary Guards later confirmed launching ballistic missiles at U.S. installations in Jordan and claimed responsibility for striking three tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via what it described as an unauthorised route.

Latest Developments

The latest U.S. operation represents one of the largest recent waves of attacks against Iranian military infrastructure. U.S. officials say the strikes were designed to degrade Iran's capacity to launch missile, drone and maritime attacks after Tehran's attempted assault on American forces. Analysts warn the latest exchange significantly raises the risk of a broader regional confrontation as diplomacy continues to falter.