Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sept 9 it fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Azraq, Jordan, saying the strike was retaliation for a US attack on an Iranian tanker.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement early on Sept. 9 local time that its Aerospace Force used ballistic missiles to strike the US destroyers USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), which it said were equipped with cruise missiles and the Aegis system. The IRGC said the strikes caused severe damage, framed them as retaliation for US attacks and harassment of Iranian tankers and vessels, and warned against miscalculation.

BNDES approved a 77.5 mln reais (≈$15 mln) 16-year loan to Viridis Mining and Minerals to fund the Colossus rare-earth project’s research centre and a recently commissioned demonstration plant. Colossus, in southeast Brazil, was one of 56 projects named last year in a 5 bln reais BNDES and Finep funding programme for critical-minerals supply chains. Viridis CEO Rafael Moreno said the move is part of Brazil’s effort, alongside US state funding, to develop domestic rare-earth reserves; he expects to finalise additional financing within one month to six weeks and is discussing equity participation with BNDESPar. The Perth-based developer has submitted a final feasibility study; BNDES will conduct due diligence before issuing a term sheet.