US carries out new strikes on Iran, cites attack on forces in the Middle East

The United States launched retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets on Wednesday after Tehran attacked a military base in Jordan hosting American troops, marking a sharp escalation in tensions across the Middle East. The latest military action came hours after US President Donald Trump warned Iran it would be hit "very hard".

The retaliation followed joint US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in eastern Iraq, which Iraqi militia officials said killed at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers. The renewed fighting also spread beyond Iran and Iraq, with drone strikes setting ablaze two natural gas vessels at Egypt's Damietta port, raising fears that the conflict is expanding across the region.

Iran reports injuries as attacks spread across region

Iranian state media said two people were injured in strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions were also reported in Khuzestan province in the country's northwest.

In Egypt, British maritime security firm Ambrey said drone attacks caused fires aboard a US-owned floating storage facility and a Greek-owned tanker at Damietta port. No casualties were reported, and responsibility for the strikes was not immediately established.

The attacks ended several days of relative calm and heightened concerns that the five-month conflict could spiral into a broader regional war. The renewed violence also threatens further disruption to global energy supplies and raises questions over the depletion of sophisticated US munitions needed to protect its forces and allies.

Egypt, one of Washington's closest regional partners and a key mediator, had largely avoided direct military action during the conflict. Any confirmed Iranian-linked strike on Egyptian territory would mark a significant expansion of the war.

Asked whether Iran was behind the attacks on the gas vessels, Trump said: "It's a little more of the same."

"In the meantime, we're going to be hitting them very hard because it's our turn to hit them," he added.

Iraq strikes deepen tensions

Saudi Arabia had accused Iran-backed Iraqi militias of launching drone attacks on its oil facilities over the past two days. While one umbrella group of Iraqi militias denied involvement, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for separate attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman separately met Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The White House and the Vice President's office did not comment.

Before the latest escalation, mediators had expressed hope of reviving negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, an interim agreement collapsed after renewed clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes, where Iranian attacks have again effectively halted maritime traffic.

A regional official said mediators were "still trying with both sides" to restore calm and revive a ceasefire, but provided no further details.

An Arab official said regional governments would continue efforts to reduce tensions but acknowledged prospects for mediation remained slim as both sides showed no willingness to halt military operations.

"We're in a very bad place right now," the official said.

The renewed hostilities sent global oil prices sharply higher, with Brent crude rising 7.3% to $88.093 a barrel.