The latest
Jordan has become a key battlefield in the confrontation between the United States and Iran after U.S. officials said American forces were targeted in four Iranian attacks over five days. The latest strike killed two U.S. service members and left another missing, a development that could push Washington toward expanding its military campaign against Iran, according to The New York Times and U.S. officials.
Details
- Repeated attacks: U.S. officials said the four attacks targeted American bases in Jordan, injuring dozens of personnel and damaging several Black Hawk helicopters.
- Jordan’s new role: According to U.S. officials, the Pentagon moved forces from Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE to Jordan and Israel before the conflict as regional basing options became more constrained.
- Azraq air base: Officials said Iran struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base twice within 48 hours. The first attack wounded about 20 U.S. troops, while the second killed two service members and injured several others.
- Iran’s account: The Iranian military said it targeted fuel storage facilities at the U.S. base in Zarqa with drones, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited by the semi-official Fars News Agency, said it used missiles and drones against aircraft shelters.
- Changing tactics: A U.S. official said Iran has begun combining ballistic missiles with one-way attack drones in coordinated strikes to complicate U.S. and Jordanian air defenses.
Background
Jordan has long hosted U.S. military bases and logistics hubs supporting operations across Syria, Iraq, and the wider region. As the U.S.-Iran confrontation has intensified, the country has taken on greater importance after Washington repositioned forces from several Gulf states to Jordan, according to U.S. officials.
Between the lines
If the U.S. account is accurate, the frequency of the attacks suggests Iran is expanding its focus beyond traditional U.S. bases in the Gulf to alternative operational hubs, making Jordan a direct component of the broader deterrence struggle.
What to watch
Attention will focus on the scope of the U.S. response after U.S. Central Command announced a new round of airstrikes on Iran, and on whether further attacks against American bases in Jordan follow.
