US launches new airstrikes inside Iran day after missile attack on Jordan base

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. military launched new airstrikes inside Iranian territory on Thursday morning, a day after Iran fired ballistic missiles at an American base in Jordan. A U.S. official told reporters the confrontation between Washington and Tehran has entered a new phase. The specific targets, aircraft and munitions used were not immediately clear, though Iranian media reported heavy explosion sounds in the Nurabad area of southern Fars province. The strikes follow President Donald Trump's temporary suspension of U.S. air operations on Friday to give mediators time to continue contacts with Tehran. Trump had told Fox News that a harsh response to Iran would follow the missile attack, while still leaving room for potential negotiations to resume. Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles on Tuesday evening at the Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan. U.S. Central Command said all the missiles were intercepted, with no casualties or damage reported. The Wall Street Journal reported that CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper presented Trump with an option for an intensive air campaign targeting Iran's ballistic missile production, storage and launch capabilities, which could last 10 to 14 days. Separately, the U.S. has carried out joint operations with Saudi Arabia targeting weapons and logistics depots belonging to Iran-linked groups. CENTCOM said those strikes were carried out within 72 hours in response to more than 30 drone attacks by the Revolutionary Guard against U.S. forces and Saudi energy facilities. No further details on the latest strikes inside Iran were immediately available.