A fragile lull in the Middle East conflict ended abruptly as the United States launched what it called a “heavy wave of strikes” against Iran, stepping up a fast-moving confrontation after Iran targeted American bases in Jordan. US President Donald Trump had promised to hit Iran “hard” after Iran fired missiles at Jordan, marking its first regional strike in days. American forces “successfully completed a heavy wave of strikes against Iran” and hit dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets, including military command centres, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said today that three of its members were killed in an attack by the United States on the northwestern province of Zanjan. The United States also announced fresh sanctions against entities linked to Iran’s Guards, accusing them of extorting ships transiting the strait.