Iran launches missiles at US base, shattering Trump's diplomatic pause
All Iranian missiles were intercepted (photo: Getty Images)
Overnight into Wednesday, July 29, Iran launched ballistic missiles at one of the US bases in the Middle East. It was the first attack since the two sides halted strikes last week, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Among the first to report the attack was Axios journalist Barak Ravid. Citing his sources, he said Iran had launched ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan. However, all of the missiles were intercepted.
Shortly afterward, CENTCOM officially confirmed the attack, stating that all Iranian missiles had been intercepted and that US forces remained on high alert.
"At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East," the statement said.
Axios noted that this was Iran's first missile strike on a US base in the region since US President Donald Trump paused strikes on Iran last Friday to give diplomacy another chance.
As a result, the attack threatens to derail the fragile pause in hostilities and could force Trump to decide whether to resume military operations.
Earlier on Monday, he said the United States was engaged in "very deep talks" with Iran but warned that he would return to "very strong military action" if diplomacy failed.
"Not much time. Either it (the talks - ed.) goes fast or not at all," Trump said.
Axios added that Iran struck the same country where two US soldiers were killed in early July in a missile and drone attack, prompting Trump to intensify a 13-day military campaign.
The launch came several hours after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where talks on Iran were the main focus. The White House, in turn, described the meeting as "positive and productive."
What else is important to know
A day earlier, Trump said the United States did not rule out a positive outcome in negotiations with Iran, but added that Washington was also preparing for an alternative scenario if no agreement could be reached.
He also recently said that if no deal is reached, Washington would have to destroy Mount Pickaxe, where a nuclear facility is located.
A detailed analysis of whether a major war between the United States and Iran could break out again is available in an RBC-Ukraine report.
