Iranian missile and drone strikes target Jordanian bases amid U.S. alliance
Jordan's military facilities have been repeatedly hit by Iranian drones and missiles as the kingdom maintains its security partnership with the United States, despite economic and regional challenges.
Iranian drone and missile attacks have repeatedly struck Jordanian military sites that host U.S. forces, adding to the kingdom's economic strain and security concerns in the West Bank. The assaults are part of a broader pattern of Iranian pressure on countries aligned with Washington, according to regional analysts.
Jordanian officials say the partnership with the United States remains essential. > "Iran has been attacking us and many other countries in the region long before even this war started," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters in Vienna, emphasizing Jordan's sovereignty and its decision not to side with Tehran.
The United States and Jordan signed a defense-cooperation agreement in 2021, granting U.S. forces access to 12 Jordanian installations, including the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which serves as a logistics hub for American transport and combat aircraft. A Washington Institute fellow noted that Jordan’s strategic depth makes it a target for Iranian retaliation against U.S. assets.
Jordan also faces a slowing economy, high inflation and the prospect of increased Palestinian displacement from the West Bank, analysts said. Despite these pressures, King Abdullah II has continued to deepen security ties with Washington, a policy he argues helps safeguard the kingdom against Iranian influence and regional instability.