The Iran US Conflict intensified on July 28 after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out precision strikes in Iraq against Iran-aligned terrorists, while Iran later launched multiple ballistic missiles toward U.S. forces in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted. The developments came alongside new maritime actions in the Strait of Hormuz and fresh sanctions activity in the United States, adding to rising regional tensions.
According to U.S. Central Command, U.S. and Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes in Iraq on July 28 against Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had directed to attack U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq. CENTCOM said the operation was a response to more than 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks carried out during the previous 72 hours. It also stated that the attacks targeting U.S. forces were unsuccessful.
CENTCOM said that from February through April 2026, Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq carried out more than 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities. The command added that the IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease such attacks to avoid further U.S. military response.
Iran US Conflict Expands Across the Middle East
At 5:45 p.m. ET on July 28, CENTCOM said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in what it described as an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. The command said every Iranian missile was successfully intercepted and that U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.
A separate U.S. official said Iran fired ballistic missiles toward a U.S. base in Jordan, where Jordanian forces intercepted the missiles. CENTCOM confirmed that multiple ballistic missiles had been launched toward U.S. forces in the Middle East at 5:45 p.m. ET (05:45 BJT), with all intercepted before reaching their targets. Officials said the launch marked Iran’s first missile attack on regional U.S. bases since the United States paused strikes last Friday. CENTCOM added that U.S. forces remain on heightened alert.
The U.S. military also said more than 20 U.S. Navy warships are currently operating across the Middle East in support of military missions, including enforcement of what it described as America’s steel wall blockade against Iran. As of July 28, CENTCOM said it had redirected 18 commercial vessels, disabled two vessels and boarded two others to ensure compliance with the blockade measures.
Separately, Iranian state television reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz had been “hit and seized” after ignoring warnings. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian military official categorically denied Iran’s involvement in firing projectiles at targets inside Saudi Arabia. The official warned that attributing regional actions against U.S. interests to Iran would be a serious strategic misjudgment and said such claims reflected a failure to understand the region’s complexity.
The latest developments also coincided with new legislative action in Washington. On July 28 local time, the U.S. Senate approved a procedural vote on a sanctions bill by an 86-12 margin. The proposed measure would impose a 100% secondary tariff on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas. It also includes provisions extending Iran sanctions that are currently scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
In another update related to maritime security, a U.S. official said discussions on a coordination plan for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz do not include proposals for transit fees or other charges for passing vessels. The official added that Iran’s negotiating demands were considered too stringent and had been rejected by Oman, the United States and the international community.
The developments affected energy markets, with WTI crude extending gains to about 4% during early Wednesday trading following reports of the missile launches and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
