Iran Announces Retaliatory Military Operation
Iran on Friday claimed it launched a large-scale retaliatory attack targeting US military assets in Jordan after overnight American airstrikes reportedly hit multiple locations inside Iran. According to Tehran, the operation involved ballistic missiles and drones aimed at facilities used by US forces in the region.
The latest exchange marks another sharp escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns about the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
IRGC Claims US Aircraft Were Damaged
In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its forces struck several US military targets, including refuelling aircraft and fighter jets stationed in Jordan. The IRGC alleged that multiple aircraft were destroyed while others sustained significant damage during the operation.
Iranian state media also reported that the IRGC targeted a US special operations command centre at al-Tanf in Syria, describing the strike as retaliation for the deaths of Iranian personnel in recent attacks.
These claims have not been independently verified.
US Strikes Trigger Fresh Escalation
The retaliation follows reports of overnight US military strikes on several locations inside Iran, including strategic sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said the attacks killed at least eight people and vowed a strong response against American military installations across the region.
Tehran has repeatedly warned that US bases operating in the Middle East remain within the range of its missile and drone capabilities.
Jordan Says It Intercepted Missiles
Amid the rising tensions, Jordan’s military announced that it intercepted and destroyed three Iranian missiles that entered its airspace. Authorities have not disclosed whether any damage or casualties occurred on the ground.
Meanwhile, neither the US military nor Syrian authorities had officially responded to Iran’s latest claims at the time of publication.
Regional Security Concerns Grow
The latest developments come months after the United States announced the completion of its military withdrawal from the al-Tanf base located near the Syria-Jordan-Iraq border. Earlier this year, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had stated that Syria would avoid involvement in regional conflicts unless directly attacked.
With both Washington and Tehran exchanging military actions and accusations, regional observers fear that continued retaliation could further destabilise the Middle East if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.
