The United States military confirmed Wednesday that it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles fired by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) across the Middle East, marking a sharp escalation just as President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The attacks, which targeted a US airbase and Central Command center in Jordan, shattered a period of relative calm after Washington suspended a 13-day bombing campaign against Iran last week. Main Developments US Central Command reported that all incoming missiles were intercepted, with five interceptions recorded over Jordan, according to the Jordan News Agency. The IRGC stated it targeted a US airbase and Central Command center in Jordan "with several ballistic missiles," warning that "resistance will continue" as long as threats against Iran persist. Simultaneously, joint US-Saudi airstrikes in Iraq killed at least 20 members of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces and wounded 32 others, according to the group. The strikes were the first major US military action since Trump suspended intensive bombing on Friday, claiming "good talks" were under way with Iran. Saudi Arabia and CENTCOM said the raids targeted Iran-backed militias responsible for attacks on US troops and Saudi energy infrastructure. Read also: Trump Signals Potential F-35 Sale to Turkey Despite Israeli Opposition In the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC said it "struck and stopped" three oil tankers that ignored warnings while traveling along what Iran deemed an unsafe route. Oman had proposed joint management of the waterway, but Iran rejected the proposal, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating Tehran would manage shipping on its side of the strait while Muscat would handle only part of the opposite lane. Background The latest exchanges follow a turbulent month in US-Iran relations. Trump suspended an intensive bombing campaign after 13 days last Friday, claiming diplomatic progress, but Tehran has expressed skepticism that such pauses are genuine, believing the US uses them to prepare for further violence. The IRGC characterized Wednesday's missile strikes as a "pre-emptive attack, not a reactionary measure," according to Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran. Netanyahu, who has been pushing for war on Iran, met with Trump in the Oval Office as the attacks unfolded. Reports from Israel indicated the prime minister intended to raise concerns about "Pickaxe Mountain," where Israeli officials believe Iran is constructing another nuclear facility. The meeting underscored the delicate balance between Washington's stated openness to talks and its military posture in the region. Iran is expected to receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers within weeks, according to three sources cited by Reuters, marking one of its largest efforts to boost short-range air defenses since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict against it. Why It Matters Oil markets reacted sharply, with US crude futures jumping more than 4% to over $82 a barrel and Brent crude exceeding $88, reversing earlier declines during the suspension of US strikes. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil passes, has become a flashpoint: Trump has decried Iran's blocking of vessels, while Iran asserts its right to control shipping through the strategic waterway. The Iraqi presidency condemned the US-Saudi strikes as an "unacceptable attack" on PMF facilities, which are legally part of Iraq's state forces, while also opposing the use of Iraqi territory as a launching pad for attacks on neighbors. This dual condemnation highlights Baghdad's precarious position between its alliances with Washington and Tehran. Analysts say Tehran is "trying to retake the initiative and the momentum" with these attacks, aiming to ensure it remains at the center of any regional negotiations. The strikes sent a clear message to Trump that Iran must be included in all discussions about the Middle East's future. What's Next The region remains on edge, with US forces maintaining a high state of readiness and CENTCOM vowing vigilance. Trump's suspension of bombing may be tested by Iran's latest provocation, and the administration faces pressure from both Netanyahu's push for war and domestic calls for restraint. Iran's expected receipt of Chinese air-defense systems within weeks could shift the military balance, complicating any future US or Israeli strikes. The Strait of Hormuz dispute remains unresolved, with Iran and Oman failing to agree on joint traffic management, leaving shipping vulnerable to further disruptions. Whether Washington resumes its bombing campaign or pursues the diplomatic track Trump hinted at remains uncertain, but Wednesday's events have made clear that the path to de-escalation is narrow and fraught with risk.