U.S. conducts large-scale strikes on Iran after missile attack on Jordan base
The United States said it hit dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard targets in a one-hour operation following an attempted ballistic missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, while Iranian media reported civilian casualties on Qeshm Island.
The U.S. Central Command announced that a "heavy wave" of airstrikes struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities in Iran on Wednesday, targeting military command centres, missile and drone sites, coastal surveillance installations and maritime capabilities. The operation, which lasted about an hour, was described as a "powerful response" to an attempted Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan the previous day. All Iranian missiles launched toward U.S. forces were intercepted, according to the Pentagon.
Iranian state media reported that the strikes hit the islands of Qeshm and Abadan, noting that a residential home in Qeshm's Chah Tangu neighbourhood was destroyed, killing three family members, including a two-year-old child. Local residents described power outages, internet disruptions and loud explosions following the attacks.
Jordan's armed forces said its air-defence systems shot down five Iranian missiles aimed at its territory on Thursday. The IRGC had earlier claimed responsibility for the Jordan attack and for striking three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging the vessels ignored warnings.
The latest hostilities follow a week that saw joint U.S.–Saudi strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and a resurgence of missile and drone exchanges after a cease-fire that had held since April collapsed in June. Iraqi officials condemned the bombing of paramilitary bases, calling it a violation of sovereignty, while the U.S. president asserted the strikes were coordinated with the Iraqi government.
Separately, Egypt reported a drone-caused fire at a port, marking the first direct incident affecting the U.S. ally in the conflict.