Iran hits US in Jordan, US-Saudi strikes on Iraq: Is war spreading?

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple ballistic missiles targeting US military installations in Jordan early Wednesday, with the US military confirming it successfully intercepted the attack. The exact timing and specific military sites targeted remain unclear, as neither US Central Command (CENTCOM), the IRGC, nor Jordanian authorities have disclosed detailed information about the incident.

Simultaneously, the US and Saudi Arabia conducted coordinated military strikes against Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence stated the attacks were conducted in response to drone assaults on Saudi petroleum facilities. CENTCOM confirmed participation in strikes against what it characterized as "Iran-aligned" groups that had allegedly attacked US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure under IRGC direction. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization for Iraqi armed groups with some Iran-loyal factions, reported at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded across seven provinces including Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala, and Diyala.

The US and Saudi Arabia attributed recent drone attacks to Iran-directed operations, claiming 30 IRGC-coordinated drone strikes occurred within 72 hours. An unnamed Iranian defence official warned through state media that attributing such attacks to Iran constituted a "major miscalculation." The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a self-described armed resistance group with Iranian backing, denied involvement in attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi convened an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security following the US-Saudi strikes and ordered security agencies to investigate the drone attacks. Al-Zaidi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to address the escalating tensions.