Iran Targets US Forces in Jordan, Strikes Ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran launched a series of missile attacks on US forces stationed in Jordan early Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). Jordan's air defenses intercepted five missiles, which the US military described as an "attempted surprise attack" on its personnel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility, stating it had targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and a CENTCOM center in Jordan, while also confirming it had struck ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump responded with threats of sweeping retaliation, telling Fox News, "We'll be hitting them hard." These strikes come just days after Trump had suspended an intensive bombing campaign against Iranian interests, citing "good talks" with Tehran. The IRGC, in a statement carried by state media, vowed that "as long as threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and illegal and vicious actions by American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue."
The attack on Jordan follows a series of joint US-Saudi airstrikes in Iraq that killed at least 20 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state-backed coalition that includes powerful pro-Iranian militias. Those strikes were the first major US military action in the region since Trump paused the bombing campaign last Friday. The Iraqi government condemned the strikes, calling them an "unacceptable attack" on its territory and ordering its air defenses and intelligence activities to be bolstered.
Senate Rejects War Powers Limits, Public Opinion Turns Against Conflict
As the conflict expands, the US Senate on Thursday narrowly rejected an effort to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran. The resolution, introduced by New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, failed 49-50, with only three Republicans voting in favor. This marks the second time the Senate has blocked such a measure, reflecting deep partisan divides over the scope of the president's military authority.
Public sentiment appears increasingly skeptical of the conflict. According to a poll conducted by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about two-thirds of US adults say the war with Iran has not been worthwhile. This includes a vast majority of Democrats and independents, as well as approximately 37% of Republicans. The poll underscores the political risk for the administration as the conflict enters a new, more volatile phase.
Regional Escalation: From Gulf to Mediterranean
The conflict has already drawn in multiple countries. Jordan reported intercepting Iranian missiles for a second consecutive day, while Kuwait said a strike there killed one person. Drone strikes at Egypt's Mediterranean port of Damietta also sparked fires on two natural gas vessels, marking what appeared to be the first time Egypt has been targeted. The origin of that strike remains unknown, but Iran's Houthi allies have long targeted ships in the nearby Red Sea.
The targeted attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have reignited concerns about global energy supplies. Oil markets fluctuated after the US military confirmed Iran's attack on Wednesday, with futures prices swinging as traders weighed the risk of supply disruptions against the possibility of de-escalation. Iran and Oman have been exchanging proposals to manage the strait, but the latest attacks suggest those efforts have yet to yield results.
Cyberattack on US Water Systems Probed as Iranian Involvement Suspected
In a parallel front, US federal and state authorities are investigating whether Iranian hackers were behind a cyberattack that disrupted technology at water systems in at least seven states, including Minnesota. The malicious activity forced some utilities to switch to manual operations, raising concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during an active military conflict.
CBS News learned that investigators are probing whether the attack is the work of Iranian hackers, although sources cautioned that the attribution is not yet definitive. There is also a possibility that the attacker attempted to appear Iran-based to "stir the pot" amid the ongoing conflict. The FBI has reported incidents in at least seven states but has not identified them.
President Trump, however, downplayed the Iranian link, instead pointing fingers at Minnesota and its Democratic governor. "I don't think Iran is to blame," he said, suggesting the issue may be domestic. The investigation continues as officials work to determine the scope and origin of the attack.
Broader Implications for US-Iran Conflict
The convergence of military and cyber fronts suggests that the conflict with Iran is evolving beyond traditional airstrikes and missile exchanges. The targeting of US forces in Jordan, a key ally, and the suspected cyberattack on civilian infrastructure reflect a multipronged strategy by Tehran to pressure Washington and its partners. Meanwhile, the Senate's repeated refusal to limit presidential war powers indicates that the executive branch retains significant latitude to conduct military operations.
The return of IRGC bodies killed in joint US-Saudi strikes in Iraq has inflamed domestic sentiment in Iran, where the Guards are a powerful political and military institution. The deaths of five IRGC members, brought back through the Mehran border crossing, highlight the direct involvement of Iranian personnel in the conflict, raising the stakes for both sides.
As the world watches, the potential for further escalation remains high. The US and Saudi Arabia have framed their strikes as defensive responses to attacks on American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure. Iran, for its part, frames its actions as resistance against foreign aggression. With no clear off-ramp in sight, the conflict risks drawing in more countries and destabilizing an already volatile region.
For more on how the conflict is reshaping Middle East alliances, read our previous analysis: Iran Attacks US Forces, Trump Vows Retaliation as Middle East Tensions Surge.
In the meantime, the US and its allies are left to navigate a precarious path between retaliation and diplomacy, with the global energy market and regional security hanging in the balance.
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