The United States military announced that it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran in an attempted surprise attack on American forces in the Middle East. The incident occurred on Tuesday at 17:45 EDT (21:45 GMT), according to US Central Command, which confirmed the successful interception of all missiles without specifying the locations of the targets.
This alleged assault marks a significant escalation during a period of reduced hostilities between the two nations, a pause that had been intended to facilitate renewed negotiations. US President Donald Trump had previously spoken optimistically about "very friendly negotiations" with Iran, noting that the two sides had not exchanged strikes for three consecutive days. Trump had also indicated the possibility of a breakthrough, stating, "I think there's a good chance that something could happen." However, he had also cautioned that the US was prepared to resume previous actions if talks did not progress.
A key unresolved issue in the ongoing discussions between the US and Iran is the control and access of the Strait of Hormuz.