US shoots down Iranian missile as Saudi joins strikes against Iran-backed militias

The United States said on Wednesday it intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting American forces in the Middle East, ending a short halt in hostilities as diplomatic efforts continued to bring both sides back to the negotiating table. Separately, US and Saudi Arabia forces carried out strikes on positions in Iraq used by Iran-backed militias that Washington said were responsible for a series of recent attacks.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said all incoming Iranian missiles were intercepted successfully and that American forces remain on high alert.

Also read: Saudi Arabia says it struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq with US coordination


The latest exchange follows several days of relative calm after weeks of military escalation centred around the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Persian Gulf shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes. Neither Washington nor Tehran had announced any attacks during that period.

Iran did not immediately respond to the US claims or comment on the latest strikes.

The latest escalation comes after a month marked by mounting challenges for US President Donald Trump over the conflict. Four US troops have been killed in recent weeks, the Pentagon has sought additional funding from Congress, and lawmakers have raised concerns over the rising cost of the war and its economic impact ahead of the November midterm elections.

The continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up fuel prices, adding to concerns over the economic impact of the conflict ahead of the US midterm elections. Last week, the House narrowly approved a resolution seeking to halt further US military action against Iran, highlighting growing domestic opposition to the war.

Despite repeatedly scaling back earlier threats to strike Iranian infrastructure, Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday that Tehran knows he would "finish the job" if negotiations fail to produce an agreement.

At the start of the conflict, Iran effectively disrupted movement through the Strait of Hormuz by targeting or threatening commercial vessels. Although an interim ceasefire agreement was reached in June, tensions over the strategic waterway have continued. Iran has demanded that ships sail closer to its coastline and indicated that it could impose transit fees, prompting many vessels to use a southern route along Oman's coast under US military protection before some ships again came under attack.

Also read: Iran proposes temporary Hormuz plan to Oman, giving itself greater control over transit lines

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drone attacks

The US military said American and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq that were being used by Iran-backed militias responsible for recent drone attacks.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes were launched in response to more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the past 72 hours. The command warned that the IRGC and allied militias must stop such attacks or face further military action.

The military did not specify when the strikes took place.

Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones launched from Iraq for the second consecutive day. According to Riyadh, the drones were aimed at petroleum facilities in the kingdom's eastern region.

The Saudi Defence Ministry said its air defence systems destroyed several drones launched by what it described as Iran-affiliated militias operating from Iraqi territory.

Following the allegations, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation. Iraq's military reiterated that it remains committed to preventing its territory from being used to launch attacks against neighbouring or friendly countries.

Iran-backed Iraqi militias denied involvement in the drone attacks. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of armed factions aligned with Tehran, dismissed Saudi Arabia's allegations as fabricated and suggested that Yemen's Houthi rebels were responsible for Monday's attacks.

A Saudi oil tanker is targeted

Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they launched missile attacks against the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal, forcing the vessel to reverse course.

The claim follows the Houthis' announcement last week of a blockade targeting Saudi shipping, raising concerns over security in another critical maritime route—the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to global shipping lanes.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said a tanker travelling in the southern Red Sea reported hearing explosions nearby. While it did not identify the vessel, it said both the crew and the ship were safe.

The Houthis had also targeted at least one Saudi tanker in the Red Sea last week.

Although Iran and the US paused direct attacks over the weekend, tensions remained elevated even as mediators reported progress in efforts to revive negotiations.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran said previous US strikes had destroyed an airport, a marine control tower, 12 bridges and two tunnels, along with other infrastructure.

Trump welcomes Netanyahu

The latest Iranian missile attack came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for talks with President Donald Trump.

The war began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran. However, Israel has played a limited role in the latest phase of the conflict.

Following their meeting, Netanyahu described his discussions with Trump as "excellent." It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the conflict began and offered an opportunity to ease tensions that had emerged in their relationship.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the closed-door meeting lasted nearly 90 minutes and described it as "positive and productive," though she did not provide additional details.

Both leaders are facing growing domestic political challenges. Netanyahu is preparing for re-election amid criticism over his ties with Trump, while Trump is under pressure to bring an end to a costly and increasingly unpopular conflict that has fuelled economic uncertainty ahead of November's midterm elections.

Concerns over US munitions stockpile

Questions have also emerged over whether the US has enough missile interceptors to sustain prolonged military operations, with lawmakers, defence experts and military officials expressing concern over shrinking stockpiles.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the concerns, saying the US military has all the resources required to carry out any mission ordered by the president.

The Pentagon also announced changes to how casualties from the conflict are being recorded. It said Operation Epic Fury, the official name for combat operations in Iran, has concluded, and casualties from the latest fighting will now be listed under a new category titled "Overseas Operations."

As a result, the four US soldiers killed and dozens of troops wounded during the latest exchange with Iran have been removed from the Iran war casualty tally and placed under the newly created category.

(With inputs from AP)