US forces launched fresh strikes against Iran on Wednesday, the military confirmed, as a five-month conflict continued to spread and pull more countries into the fighting.
US Central Command stated that American forces began the operation at 8:00 pm ET. Officials described the action as a strong reply to Iranian attempts the previous day to attack US troops stationed across the Middle East.
Earlier that same day, a drone struck a US-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 port but did not mention any drone. At the same time, US and Saudi forces hit Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq while Iran fired missiles at American troops in Jordan.
These new developments risked drawing additional Middle Eastern nations deeper into the war. Only last week, the Houthis in Yemen announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The latest US strikes came after President Donald Trump promised to hit Iran hard for firing on American forces, even while saying Washington still wanted a peace deal with Tehran.
Iran confirmed it had targeted US bases in Jordan and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. It also rejected an Omani plan to jointly manage the vital shipping route. The conflict started in February when the US and Israel began bombing Iran. A short ceasefire in June fell apart amid renewed clashes over the strait, which Iran now claims to control.
Oil markets reacted sharply. Brent crude jumped more than 8 percent and climbed well above $90 a barrel.
In Iraq, the joint US-Saudi attacks marked the first time Riyadh openly joined such strikes with Washington. Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces reported at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded. Crowds shouted “Death to America” while carrying the dead. Washington and Riyadh said the strikes answered drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil sites.
Saudi Arabia’s defence minister later met Vice President JD Vance in Washington and urged the US not to expand the fighting further against the Houthis or Iraqi militias, citing serious unknown risks. US officials have also warned that major new combat could strain limited stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
The strikes highlighted deep tensions inside Iraq, a country that tries to maintain ties with both Tehran and Washington. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called for calm and said he wanted to keep Iraq out of the regional war.
