The United States resumed airstrikes inside Iran on Wednesday night in retaliation for Tehran’s attempted surprise ballistic-missile attack on American forces. The operation marked the first U.S. attacks inside Iran since President Donald Trump paused the bombing campaign Friday after 13 consecutive nights to allow diplomacy another chance.
According to US Central Command, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran at U.S. forces in the region at approximately 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday. All were intercepted, and no casualties or damage were immediately reported. The attack was widely condemned by international leaders, with many expressing concern over the escalating conflict.
The surprise nature of Tehran’s attack reflected a significant shift in strategy for Iran, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “What makes this attack different is that it’s basically a surprise attack,” he told Fox News Digital. “This is the Islamic Republic matching its deeds with its words.” He argued that Tehran has become increasingly willing to test Washington despite its weakened military capabilities.
Trump had signaled the retaliation earlier Wednesday, saying the United States would hit Iran “very hard.” However, Ben Taleblu warned that successful interceptions alone may not restore deterrence. He argued that Tehran has repeatedly learned that it can fire on American forces, absorb a U.S. response and then attempt to dictate when the exchange ends.
“The dangerous lesson for America here is that you have to treat every single Iranian missile attack, whether it was successful or not, as being successful,” he said. “You can’t over-rely on technology because, ultimately, this is not a technological problem. This is a political problem.” Ben Taleblu also warned that the United States must respond while preparing for another Iranian counterattack.
The renewed fighting threatens already-fragile negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected an Omani proposal for joint regional management of the waterway, insisting on broader control over shipping routes through the strait. The attack followed a far deadlier Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Jordan earlier in July, which hit housing used by American troops at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, killing two U.S. service members and wounding several others.
The United States has struck back with airstrikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq following drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The operation marked the first time Riyadh publicly acknowledged participating in strikes alongside Washington, potentially opening a new front in the confrontation.
The attack is part of a growing pattern of Iranian aggression towards the region, according to Ben Taleblu. “This is not just about Iran’s military capabilities; it’s also about their willingness to test us,” he said. He argued that Tehran continues to believe it can absorb retaliation and fire back, dictating when each cycle of fighting ends.
The United States must respond while preparing for another Iranian counterattack, warning that allowing Tehran to claim it had “closed the round” after retaliating would reinforce the regime’s belief that it can dictate the pace of the conflict. The situation remains fluid, with international leaders continuing to weigh their options in response to the escalating conflict.
Source: Fox News World
Based on reporting from Fox News World.
