A dangerous new phase of conflict has opened up in the Middle East following a series of coordinated military strikes and counter-strikes across Iraq and Jordan.
Early Wednesday morning, the United States and Saudi Arabia launched a joint air campaign targeting key strongholds of the Iran-backed Shia militia, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), in Iraq. In swift retaliation, Tehran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at US military positions stationed in Jordan.
The sudden flare-up comes just days after a brief lull in fighting. The US had recently paused a 13-day bombing campaign against Iranian targets, leading Tehran to temporarily halt its own counter-measures. That fragile pause has now completely shattered.
US-Saudi Joint Strikes on Iraqi Bases
Washington and Riyadh stated that the joint operation was executed in direct response to recent drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. This marks the first time Saudi Arabia has publicly joined US combat operations since the US-Israel military campaign against Iran began on February 28.
- Casualties & Damage: According to the PMF, strikes hit several of their compounds across various provinces—including Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, Nineveh, and Karbala—leaving at least 20 fighters dead and more than 32 injured.
- Iraqi Condemnation: Iraqi President Nizar Amedi denounced the operation as a blatant violation of national sovereignty. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi convened an emergency meeting with the national security cabinet to evaluate the situation.
- Tehran’s Stance: Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the strikes, blaming the US and its regional allies for driving the Middle East deeper into instability.
Iranian Strikes in Jordan and Trump’s Warning
Around the same time as the raids in Iraq, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple ballistic missiles aimed at US military facilities in Jordan. Tehran also claimed responsibility for targeting three commercial tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Jordanian military confirmed that their air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed the incoming Iranian missiles before they could hit their targets. Following the incident, the US military is reportedly considering strict restrictions on mobile phone use for the nearly 4,000 American troops deployed in Jordan to prevent operational leaks.
Responding to the attack, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning during an interview with Fox News, declaring that Iran would pay a “heavy price.” Labeling groups like the PMF a “cancer on the world,” Trump signaled that further decisive actions against Iran-backed forces are on the horizon.
Diplomatic Push Amid Broader Regional War Fears
The rapid escalation has sent shockwaves through the international community. Pakistan, the European Union, and several Gulf nations have issued urgent appeals for restraint, calling on all sides to de-escalate and return to diplomatic negotiations.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations, urged both Washington and Tehran to honor the preliminary memorandum signed last month, which had outlined a pathway toward a formal ceasefire.
However, diplomatic efforts face steep hurdles. Iran recently rejected an Omani proposal for joint management of the Strait of Hormuz. With tensions mounting across both the Strait and the Red Sea, analysts warn that military engagement is likely to continue alongside diplomatic talks, raising the grim prospect of a wider regional war.