The flare-up on multiple fronts, after several days of relative calm, raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans.

Iran-backed militants in Iraq recently launched over two dozen drone attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.

The US Central Command said that the strikes were in response to the more than 30 aerial drone attacks directed by the Iran Guards in the last 72 hours. | World News