Iran’s attempted surprise missile strike on US forces ends with interception and looming escalation

Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East in what the U.S. described as an attempted surprise attack; Centcom said all missiles were intercepted, while Iran claimed it targeted a base in Jordan. In retaliation, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-aligned militants in Iraq; Tehran also claimed to have struck oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The flare-up ends a brief lull in fighting and fuels concerns of broader escalation, with oil prices rising amid the disruptions.