Iran has launched a missile attack at an airbase in Jordan hosting US forces, according to the country's state media. The Revolutionary Guards said missiles targeted the Muwaffaq Salti airbase, known to host US F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft. Neither Jordan nor the US has acknowledged any attack, but if confirmed, it would likely be the first time Iran has targeted Jordan since the ceasefire in April.
US Strikes on Iran
The US launched multiple waves of strikes on Iran in response to a military helicopter crash off the Strait of Hormuz, which Donald Trump said Iran had downed. The Associated Press reported that the Apache helicopter crashed after colliding with an Iranian drone, though it was unclear whether the collision was intentional. US strikes were reported across Iran's southern coast on the Strait of Hormuz. After more than three hours of military action, US Central Command (Centcom) said strikes were completed, adding that the US remained ready to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression.
Retaliatory Attacks
Soon after, Iran launched retaliatory attacks against the US, according to state media, targeting American bases in the region and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with drones. Kuwait and Bahrain issued air raid alerts and reported that air defenses were active in repelling attacks. Iran also claimed it had targeted a US base in Jordan with long-range missiles. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said no attack would go unanswered, posting an image of the Strait of Hormuz labeled Forever Persian Gulf, stating that despite its defeats on the battlefield, the US opted to test our determination.
Trump's Response
Five hours before the airstrikes, Trump posted on social media that the US must respond to the helicopter crash, from which two crew members were rescued in stable condition. However, in a phone interview with the Wall Street Journal, he downplayed the crash, saying it wasnt a big deal and that the pilot is fine. Iranian state media reported that no air military operations had taken place in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours.
Other Developments
Lebanon's health ministry said 11 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the southern city of Tyre on Tuesday. The state-run National News Agency reported the first strike taking place not long before Israel's military issued an evacuation warning for the entire city and surrounding areas ahead of strikes.
