Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Monday that it had launched ballistic missile attacks against two US military bases in Jordan, marking a fresh escalation in the conflict between Tehran and Washington.
The IRGC said its Aerospace Force targeted the King Hussein and Al-Azraq airbases in Jordan with ballistic missiles as part of a retaliatory operation. Iranian state media reported that the attacks targeted technical and maintenance facilities as well as positions used by US fighter aircraft. The IRGC claimed the strikes caused “heavy damage,” although independent confirmation of the extent of the damage was not immediately available.
Iran described the attacks as retaliation for US strikes on two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the operation targeted IRGC forces that were preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the strategically important waterway.
Jordanian authorities said their air-defence systems intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace. Initial reports said there were no injuries at the targeted bases.
The exchange represents the first major direct military confrontation between the United States and Iran in several weeks and raises fears of a wider regional escalation.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation because of its importance to global energy shipments. Any further military action in or around the waterway could disrupt commercial shipping and put additional pressure on international oil markets.
The latest developments are being closely monitored as both Washington and Tehran signal that further attacks could trigger additional military responses.