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Middle East crisis live: Iran launches broad retaliatory attacks after US strikes over downed helicopter
TL;DR
Iran launched missile attacks on a US airbase in Jordan following US strikes over a downed helicopter. Jordanian forces intercepted five missiles, causing no injuries or damage.
Key points
- Iran launched missile attacks on a US airbase in Jordan
- Jordan intercepted five missiles with no reported injuries
- The Muwaffaq Salti airbase hosts US F-35 fighter jets
- US strikes prompted Iran's retaliatory actions
- Middle East tensions are impacting global markets and oil prices
Mentioned in this story
Iran's Revolutionary GuardsJordanKuwaitBahrainMuwaffaq Salti airbase
Jordanian armed forces said on Wednesday they intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran toward the al-Azraq area in Jordan.
The military said that debris from the interception operation fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or material damage.
Earlier Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched a missile attack at an airbase in Jordan hosting US forces, after also targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. The missiles targeted the Muwaffaq Salti airbase, which is known to host US F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft.
As the US launched several waves of strikes on Iran, Asian share markets fell and oil prices surged.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East have unsettled markets, dimming hopes for an end to the months-long war that has pushed commodities higher and stoked inflation worries.
Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.9% while the tech-heavy South Korean KOSPI slumped 2%.
Oil prices climbed about 1% in early trade, moving away from a seven-week low touched in the previous session. Brent futures rose 0.9% to $92.29 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 0.8% to $88.97.
A financial data screen in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul. Photograph: YONHAP/EPA
“Oil holding around $90 despite fresh Iran headlines suggests markets are not pricing a sustained supply disruption. That leaves room for a bigger repricing if energy infrastructure, shipping routes or U.S. involvement escalate,” said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo in Singapore.
US investor will be focused on inflation data, which is set to be released later on Wednesday. The report – covering the last 12 months through to May – will gauge the impact of the war, with a Reuters survey of economists predicting that inflation likely increased 4.2% in the perdiod.
Welcome to our live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.
Iran says it has launched a missile attack at an airbase in Jordan hosting US forces, after also targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. The Revolutionary Guards said missiles have targeted the Muwaffaq Salti airbase, which is known to host US F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft.
Q&A
What prompted Iran to launch missile attacks on Jordan?
Iran's missile attacks were a retaliatory response to US strikes related to a downed helicopter.
What was targeted in Iran's missile attacks?
Iran targeted the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan, which hosts US forces and F-35 fighter jets.
What was the impact of the missile interceptions in Jordan?
Jordanian armed forces intercepted five missiles, with debris falling on territory but causing no injuries or damage.
How have the recent tensions affected global markets?
Escalating tensions in the Middle East have led to falling Asian share markets and rising oil prices.
