US intercepts Iran missiles, strikes Iraq militias

The US military said Tuesday (28 July) it intercepted a barrage of Iranian missiles targeting American forces in the Middle East and, along with Saudi forces, struck sites in Iraq used by Iran-backed militias to launch attacks in recent days.

US Central Command said all Iranian missiles fired at American forces were intercepted and that US troops "remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness."

The United States also warned that further attacks on its troops or Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure could trigger additional military action.

The latest strikes ended a brief lull in fighting between the United States and Iran after weeks of tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key Persian Gulf waterway through which about 20% of the world's traded oil normally passes.

There was no immediate response from Tehran to the US military's statement or the strikes.

The renewed fighting came as President Donald Trump faced growing pressure over the conflict. Four US troops have been killed in recent weeks, while the Pentagon has sought additional funding from an increasingly sceptical Congress to cover the war's rising costs.

High gasoline prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have also raised concerns for Republicans ahead of November's midterm elections. The US House narrowly passed a resolution last week calling for an end to military action against Iran.

Trump has repeatedly backed away from threats to target bridges, power plants and other infrastructure in Iran. But speaking to Fox News Channel on Tuesday, he said Iran knows he will "finish the job" if its leaders fail to reach a deal to end the war.

US, Saudi forces strike Iraq sites

Iran launched its ballistic missiles before US and Saudi forces carried out strikes in Iraq, according to a US official who said the two operations were not connected. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive military operations.

US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck several logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq in response to more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the previous 72 hours, US Central Command said.

The command warned that the IRGC and its Iran-backed groups must stop the attacks to avoid further US military action.

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry confirmed the strikes, saying the kingdom does not seek escalation but would respond to any aggression.

Saudi Arabia also said its air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second straight day. The drones had targeted petroleum facilities in the kingdom's eastern region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate after Saudi Arabia accused Iran-backed groups of carrying out a similar attack Monday.

The Iraqi military said it was committed to preventing its territory from being used as a route or launching point for attacks against friendly countries.

The Iraqi militias denied involvement. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, called Saudi Arabia's allegations "fabrications" and suggested that Yemen's Houthi rebels could have carried out Monday's attacks.

Houthis target Saudi tanker

The Houthis claimed they fired missiles at the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal, forcing it to turn back. Last week, they announced a blockade of Saudi shipping, raising concerns over another key waterway, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait leading to the Red Sea.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said a tanker reported hearing explosions while sailing in the southern Red Sea. It did not identify the vessel but said the ship and its crew were safe.

The Houthis also fired on at least one Saudi tanker in the Red Sea last week.

Iran and the United States had paused their fighting over the weekend, although tensions remained high. Officials said mediators had made progress toward bringing the two sides back to negotiations.

Iran said Tuesday that earlier US strikes had destroyed an airport and a marine control tower and damaged 12 bridges and two tunnels, among other infrastructure.

Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the war began by firing at or threatening freighters and tankers off its coast. After an interim ceasefire deal was signed in June, a struggle for control of the waterway followed.

Trump meets Netanyahu

The latest strikes came on the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump at the White House for the first time since the two countries launched the war against Iran on 28 February.

Israel has largely stayed out of the latest fighting with Iran.

Netanyahu called the meeting "excellent," while Trump described it as "very good" and said, "Many important subjects were discussed."

Meanwhile, concerns have grown over the US military's ability to intercept Iranian missiles as lawmakers, military officials and experts warn that the country's stockpile of missile interceptors is declining.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, rejected those concerns, saying the US military "has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the president's choosing."