Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1139 EAT on Wednesday 29 July 2026

The United States military says it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran at US bases across the Middle East.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired several ballistic missiles in what it described as an “attempted surprise attack on US forces based in the Middle East”.

CENTCOM said US air defence systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, adding that it was continuing to assess the situation. The military did not immediately provide details on casualties or damage resulting from the attack.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its aerospace forces targeted a US airbase and a US Central Command (CENTCOM) facility in Jordan with several ballistic missiles.

In a statement carried by Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, the IRGC said: “As long as threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and illegal and vicious actions by American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue.”

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar said the latest escalation appeared to be a “pre-emptive attack rather than a reactionary measure” by Iran.

The exchange comes after US President Donald Trump halted a planned two-week bombing campaign against Iran on July 24, saying “good talks” were under way between Washington and Tehran.

Serdar said the latest strikes were likely to complicate diplomatic efforts following 13 consecutive days of reciprocal US-Iranian attacks.

“After 13 consecutive days of tit-for-tat US-Iran bombings, these latest attacks will most definitely have an impact on mediation efforts,” he said.

Trump has warned that the United States could resume military strikes if negotiations stall, while Iran has denied seeking to restart talks with Washington.

The Iranian missile strikes on US military bases coincided with a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where regional security and Iran were expected to dominate discussions.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher said the attacks appeared to be a signal from Tehran that it expects to be part of any future negotiations over the conflict.

“This is Iran sending a message to Trump that they need to be involved in all discussions,” Fisher said.

He added that Israeli media had reported Netanyahu was expected to raise concerns over Pickaxe Mountain, where Israel believes Iran has been carrying out construction work linked to a potential new nuclear facility.

“It was reported in Israel that Netanyahu was very keen to raise the question of Pickaxe Mountain. The Israelis said there has been building work going ahead there; they believe the Iranians are putting together another nuclear facility,” Fisher said.

Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera that Tehran was “trying to retake the initiative and momentum” with the latest strikes.

“Iran has expressed scepticism that the US uses pauses between attacks to prepare for another phase of violence, so Tehran likely believes Washington is doing the same during this latest pause,” Campbell said.

Oil prices surged following confirmation of the Iranian attacks, with US crude futures rising more than 4 percent to above $82 a barrel, while Brent crude futures climbed above $88 a barrel.

The increase came after oil prices had earlier fallen on Tuesday as the US suspension of strikes against Iran continued, with traders closely watching reports of renewed diplomatic efforts.

Hormuz tensions continue

Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and its vital shipping routes have remained a key issue in the conflict. US President Donald Trump has criticised Iran over its restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, while Tehran maintains it has the right to regulate shipping in the strait.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had “struck and stopped” three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

The IRGC said the vessels had “continued to move along an unsafe and illegal route, ignoring our warnings”.

Oman has proposed that Iran and the Gulf state jointly manage maritime traffic through the strait, but Tehran has rejected the plan.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television that Tehran opposed an equal division of transit routes. Instead, he said Iran proposed managing shipping on its side of the strait, while Oman would oversee part, but not all, of the opposite lane.

-Aljazeera

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