Jordan intercepts 18 Iranian ballistic missiles, two land in empty areas
Jordan says its air defenses shot down 18 of 20 ballistic missiles fired from Iran, with two landing in unpopulated areas and no casualties reported.
Key Takeaways
AIJordanian authorities announced that 20 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Jordanian territory, stating that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 18 of them, while two missiles landed in areas with no population.
Jordan confirmed that there were no casualties as a result of the attack.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted what it described as a US base in the Azraq area of Jordan with ballistic missiles, in response to US attacks on Iranian oil tankers.
The Revolutionary Guard said it carried out intensive missile strikes on the base, while Iranian media reported the attack targeted hangars used for the maintenance, preparation, and deployment of US F-35, F-16, and F-15 fighter jets.
The Iranian attack comes amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. US Central Command said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers on September 8, after the Revolutionary Guard twice targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles over two days.
Central Command said the US warship successfully evaded the Iranian attacks and no US personnel were harmed.
On Tuesday evening, the Revolutionary Guard threatened to target ships docked at Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports hosting US forces or personnel, urging crews of oil tankers near those ports to evacuate their vessels in response to the targeting of Iranian oil tankers.