US forces thwart Iranian missile barrage as regional tensions reignite

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the missiles were fired by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in what it described as a surprise attack. In a statement posted

WASHINGTON: A fragile pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran came to an abrupt end on Tuesday after Iranian forces launched multiple ballistic missiles toward US military positions in the Middle East, according to the US military.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the missiles were fired by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in what it described as a surprise attack. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM reported that all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, preventing any reported damage or casualties. However, it did not disclose the exact locations that were targeted.

The latest exchange marks a renewed escalation after several days of relative calm. Both countries had refrained from military action over the weekend following nearly two weeks of intense conflict, during which the United States carried out nightly strikes on Iranian positions while Tehran responded with repeated missile and drone attacks against US allies across the Gulf region.

The recent confrontation traces back to mid-July, when Iran targeted several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a sharp rise in regional tensions and prompting a sustained military response from Washington.

The temporary ceasefire had raised hopes for diplomacy, with US President Donald Trump stating there was a strong possibility of progress in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. The lull in fighting also contributed to a decline in global oil prices, reflecting growing market optimism that the crisis could be contained.

Tuesday’s missile launch, however, signals that tensions remain high, casting fresh uncertainty over diplomatic efforts and raising concerns about the potential for another round of military escalation in the Middle East.