Iran Missiles Hit US Base in Jordan, Threatening Trump Pause
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- Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan at 5:45pm ET, with all missiles intercepted according to CENTCOM, which called it an "attempted surprise attack."
- The attack is Iran's first ballistic missile strike on a US base in the region since Trump paused strikes on Friday, threatening to unravel the fragile diplomatic window he had opened.
- Trump told Axios on Monday the US was in "very deep talks" with Iran but warned he would return to "very strong military action" if diplomacy failed, saying "either it goes fast or not at all."
- The missile launch came hours after Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House for Iran-focused talks the White House described as "positive and productive."
- In response, US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq after more than 30 IRGC-directed drone attacks on US forces over the previous 72 hours, according to CENTCOM.
- CENTCOM reported more than 600 attempted attacks on US citizens and facilities in Iraq by Iran-aligned militias between February and April, and warned the IRGC "must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response."
- Earlier this month, Iran targeted a US airbase in Jordan and killed two US service members, which had prompted Trump's 13-night campaign of strikes before Friday's pause.
Why it matters: The strike tests Trump's stated commitment to a diplomatic pause he granted just four days ago, and comes hours after a White House meeting with Netanyahu signaled US resolve on Iran. With Trump warning diplomacy must "go fast or not at all" and CENTCOM already executing retaliatory strikes in Iraq alongside Saudi Arabia, the decision point on resuming broader military action has moved from hypothetical to imminent.
