The US military launched strikes against Iran late on July 29, saying the operation was in response to what Washington described as Iranian attacks on US forces in the Middle East.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) saidon X that the strikes began at 8 p.m. ET (00:00 GMT).

"The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday's attempted Iranian attacks on US forces based in the Middle East," CENTCOM said.

A senior US official confirmed to RFE/RL that the US Army was carrying out strikes inside Iran.

Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations.

According to US officials, the action follows an attack on Tuesday, July 28, in which Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired five missiles at a US military base in Jordan. Hours later, the US and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq, escalating tensions across the region.

US President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday signaled that military action was imminent. In an interview with Fox News, he said the United States would respond forcefully to the alleged Iranian attack.

Later on July 29, speaking at the White House, Trump told reporters it was the US military's "turn" to strike Iran. "They know it's coming. They're asking us not to do it, but they tried shooting at us last night," Trump said.

The latest strikes follow a brief pause in US military operations against Iran after Trump delayed further action over the weekend to leave room for possible diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

The renewed military action raises fears of a broader regional conflict as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.