Iran launches 'attempted surprise attack' on US forces in Middle East
The US military reports that Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at American forces in the Middle East, marking a sudden escalation after a period of relative calm. While the US claims all missiles were intercepted, the incident threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Why it matters
This escalation risks a wider regional conflict and complicates the fragile diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran regarding military presence in the Middle East.
Image source, Handout photo by US. Navy via Getty Images Image caption, A US military ship is seen in the foreground in the Arabian Sea in April.
Iran has launched "multiple" ballistic missiles in an "attempted surprise attack" on American forces in the Middle East, the US military says, shattering a lull in the fighting.
The attack occurred at 17:45 EDT (21:45 GMT) on Tuesday, and all missiles were "successfully intercepted", said US Central Command, without specifying the locations of any targets.
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