US Restarts Airstrikes on Iran After Missile Attack Targets American Base in Jordan: Axios Report

The United States has restarted air strikes against targets in Iran, ending a short pause in military operations, according to an Axios report citing a senior US official. The renewed strikes came after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack earlier this week targeting a US military facility in Jordan. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack was unsuccessful, with all incoming missiles intercepted before they could cause damage.

CENTCOM described the incident as an attempted surprise assault on American positions in the Middle East and said the missiles were launched from Iranian territory. While officials did not identify the exact location targeted, reports from US media outlets, including Axios, indicated that the attack was aimed at a US base in Jordan. The missile launch marked Tehran’s first direct ballistic missile strike against an American military facility since Washington had temporarily paused its air campaign against Iran to allow room for diplomatic discussions.

Following the attack, US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran, saying Washington would respond forcefully to any threats against American troops or interests. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the US would take aggressive action if Iran continued hostile activities. Meanwhile, US and Saudi forces conducted joint air operations late Tuesday against Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) reported that at least 20 people were killed in the strikes.

CENTCOM confirmed that the combined operation targeted weapons storage facilities and logistical sites in eastern Iraq. The military said the action was carried out in response to a series of drone attacks allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which reportedly targeted American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

The escalation followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defence systems had intercepted several drones aimed at oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province. Riyadh blamed Iran-supported armed groups operating from Iraq for the attempted attacks. The latest US military action represents a significant increase in tensions between Washington and Tehran, despite ongoing indirect diplomatic contacts through regional channels.

The strikes come days after the US had suspended its offensive operations against Iran, with American officials saying the pause was intended to reassess military strategy and explore possible diplomatic solutions. President Trump had said that the US and Iran were engaged in "good talks" and suggested that a diplomatic agreement could be possible. However, he warned that military action would resume if negotiations failed. The renewed strikes also followed Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where both leaders discussed regional security issues and strategies related to Iran. White House officials described the discussions as positive and productive.