Iran launches 'surprise attack' against American bases as ballistic missiles rain down over Jordan

Iran fired "multiple" ballistic missiles at American forces in the Middle East overnight in what the US military described as "an attempted surprise attack."

The strikes took place at 10.45pm BST, though US Central Command (Centcom) did not reveal which locations were targeted.

It later emerged the strikes had targeted a US base in Jordan.

All missiles were "successfully intercepted," Centcom said - before US and Saudi Arabian forces smashed "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites" in Iraq.

Centcom said the retaliatory action was "a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours".

Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had shot down drones aimed at petroleum facilities in its eastern region.

It said the attacks were "once again launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-affiliated terrorist militias".

Tehran has yet to outline its public position on the drones - though threatened US allies in the region just days ago.

But Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered his security agencies to investigate after the Saudis alleged a similar attack on Monday.

The Iraqi military said in a statement that its country is committed to "preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a route or launching point for any attack targeting brotherly or friendly countries".

The renewed hostilities shattered a brief pause in fighting between the two sides, which had been intended to bring negotiators back to talks.

Just a day earlier, Donald Trump had spoken of "very friendly negotiations" with Iran, after three consecutive days without any exchange of strikes.

Tehran, however, claims no negotiations are taking place.

That calm followed 13 straight nights of American strikes on southern Iran, during which the US said it had destroyed tunnels and bridges.

Centcom warned that Iran's military "and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response."

Oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday morning amid fears that an escalation could further disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude rose 4.3 per cent to $87.70 (£65.98) a barrel during early Asian trading, while US-traded oil gained 4.2 per cent, reaching $82.62.

Control of the strait remains the focus of the fighting - as well as any discussions between Washington and Tehran.

Saudi defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the drones targeting Saudi petroleum infrastructure had been launched by Iran-affiliated militia groups operating from Iraqi territory.

The missile strikes coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he met Trump at the White House.

Mr Netanyahu also attended the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham, who had been hawkish on Iran throughout his career.

There, he met Volodymyr Zelensky - sparking speculation that Israel could even help Ukraine's war effort.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said last night he had invited Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha to visit Israel to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations between the countries.

"Israel and Ukraine are friends, and I look forward to further deepening our cooperation," Mr Sa'ar said.

At least 624 American military personnel have been wounded since Trump ordered strikes against Iran in February, according to Pentagon figures.

Of those, 417 sustained injuries during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

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