Posted Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 1:06pmWed 29 Jul 2026 at 1:06pmA satellite image shows a trail of smoke rising from an oil facility in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters Photo: European Union/Copernicus Sentinel 2)This is your three-minute briefing on the key developments overnight in the Middle East. Hello. It is day 42 since the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was signed and 21 days since strikes resumed. Here's what you need to know to catch up quickly. What's the latest?The US says it has carried out fresh air strikes in Iraq alongside Saudi Arabia, targeting Iran-backed militant groups after a wave of drone attacks on US forces.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) later said they fired several ballistic missiles at a US air base and a US military Central Command centre in Jordan, in what they described as a response to US actions against Iranian interests.These are the latest details:The US Central Command said American and Saudi fighter jets struck "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites" in eastern Iraq.The strikes were in response to more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards over the past 72 hours, the US military said."The IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response," it said in a statement on Wednesday.Saudi Arabia confirmed it carried out the strikes alongside the US, saying the action was in response to recent drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said three oil tankers were "struck and stopped" after ignoring warnings in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed.What happened earlier?The fresh strikes came hours after the US accused Iran of launching multiple ballistic missiles at American bases in the Middle East in what it described as a "surprise attack".US Central Command said all of the missiles were intercepted and that American forces would remain on high alert.Earlier, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second consecutive day.Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they struck two Saudi ships as part of their campaign to disrupt the kingdom's shipping.According to US Central Command, Iran-aligned militias attempted more than 600 attacks on US personnel and facilities in Iraq between February and April this year.Why does this matter?Iran's latest missile attack marks the first time it has targeted a US base since US President Donald Trump paused military operations last Friday to give diplomacy another chance.The renewed fighting also comes after weeks of mounting political pressure on Mr Trump over the conflict.Here's more context:Four US troops have been killed in recent weeks, while the Pentagon has asked Congress for additional funding as the cost of the war continues to rise.Reflecting growing unease in Washington, the House last week narrowly passed a resolution seeking to halt further US military action against Iran.Meanwhile, the ongoing disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has kept fuel prices elevated, with prices in Australia already creeping up again.Images from the groundCommercial vessels appear anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, as young men ride motorcycles along the shore. (AP Photo: Razieh Poudat/ISNA)Iranian pro-government demonstrators chant slogans as one of them waves a flag bearing a portrait of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at square in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo: Vahid Salemi)What is the fuel price in Australia?ABC/wires