Jordan intercepts five Iranian missiles as US and Saudi strike Iraq sites

Jordan intercepted five missiles launched from Iran after a fresh regional barrage. The exchange shattered a brief lull and sharpened warnings of further retaliation.Image used for representational purposes onlyJordan's air defences intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday, the country's military said, hours after the US military said it had knocked down an Iranian missile barrage aimed at American forces in the Middle East. The exchange ended a brief pause in fighting after weeks of tensions in the region.The US also said it had worked with Saudi Arabia's forces to strike sites in Iraq that Tehran-backed militias have used to launch attacks in recent days. In announcing the strikes, Washington warned that any further attacks on American troops or Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure could lead to more action.In a statement, the Jordanian military said the missiles had been "intercepted and destroyed". Earlier, US Central Command said it would "remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness". A US official said Iran launched its ballistic missile attack before American and Saudi forces carried out strikes in Iraq, and stressed that the two attacks were not connected. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations."US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours," US Central Command said, using an acronym for Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. It added that the Revolutionary Guard "and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response". The Saudi Defence Ministry also acknowledged the strikes in a social media post, saying, "The Kingdom emphasises that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces." The US and Iran had gone about three days without announcing attacks after weeks of escalation over the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf waterway through which 20 per cent of the world's traded oil normally flows. The fighting picked up again at the end of a month that had brought several pressures on US President Donald Trump, with four US troops killed in recent weeks and the Pentagon seeking money from an increasingly sceptical Congress to cover the rising cost of the conflict. Overall, the latest missile interceptions and strikes signalled a fresh rise in tensions after the short-lived lull.With PTI Inputs - EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Jul 29, 2026 11:40 IST