Jordan Says It Intercepted Eight Iranian Missiles Amid Regional Escalation
AMMAN-Jordan’s military said on Thursday it intercepted eight missiles launched from Iran toward its territory, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted a U.S. command-and-control center and the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan, marking a further escalation in the exchange of strikes between Tehran and Washington.
The Jordanian Armed Forces said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed the incoming missiles before they could reach their intended destinations, adding that debris fell in several areas but caused no casualties or material damage.
The military said it would not permit any violation of Jordanian airspace, regardless of the source of the attack, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the kingdom’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.
Earlier in the day, government spokesperson Mohammad Al-Momani said air raid sirens had been activated after missiles launched from Iran entered Jordanian airspace. He said the projectiles were intercepted by the country’s air defense systems.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had fired 10 ballistic missiles at what they described as a U.S. “command-and-control center in West Asia” and the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan. The Guards warned that if the United States carried out further attacks, other American military facilities in the region would also be targeted.
The missile launches came on the second consecutive day of exchanges between Iran and the United States, following multiple U.S. strikes on Iranian targets. The renewed hostilities have added pressure to an already fragile ceasefire and heightened concerns over security around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Thursday’s interceptions marked the first time Jordan has publicly announced shooting down Iranian missiles since June 11, when the military said it intercepted 20 missiles after Iran said it had targeted an American command center in Jordan in retaliation for U.S. strikes.
The Al-Azraq area hosts a Jordanian air base that has previously been used by U.S., German, Belgian and French forces during operations against the Islamic State militant group.
Jordan has consistently maintained that it does not host foreign military bases. Officials say military personnel from partner countries are deployed at some Jordanian army facilities under bilateral cooperation and training agreements rather than permanent basing arrangements.
In April, the Jordanian military said that 281 Iranian missiles and drones had been launched toward the kingdom since the regional conflict began on Feb. 28. According to the military, 261 of those projectiles were intercepted, while authorities reported that 30 people were injured in the attacks and have since been discharged from hospital.
