Iran strikes U.S. base in Jordan
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said its Aerospace Force launched a missile barrage against the U.S. al-Azraq Airbase in Jordan, saying the strike was retaliation for American attacks on Iranian commercial and oil vessels. The IRGC said the operation used solid- and liquid-fueled ballistic missiles and hit maintenance hangars, aircraft preparation areas and shelters for F-35, F-16 and F-15 warplanes, causing heavy damage.
Jordan’s military said its air defenses intercepted 18 ballistic missiles fired from Iran, while two others fell in open areas without causing casualties. Authorities said specialized teams were securing debris sites and warned civilians not to touch suspicious objects. Jordan placed its air defenses on the highest alert as radar and early-warning systems remained active to protect its airspace.
The escalation followed U.S. Central Command’s announcement that American forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the IRGC launched repeated ballistic missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship. CENTCOM said the warship evaded the missiles and no U.S. personnel were harmed. It also released footage showing the M/T Riesco sinking in the Gulf of Oman after being destroyed in the operation. U.S. officials said the tanker strikes were a response to those attempted attacks.
Iranian media also reported separate attacks on tankers near Kharg Island and the port of Jask, saying crews were evacuated and no casualties were reported. The exchange came amid rising confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic, military patrols and retaliatory strikes have turned the area into a central flashpoint.
