Iran launched ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan, with Jordanian forces intercepting 18 of 20 projectiles, according to multiple reports.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan on September 8, 2026, in a stark escalation of hostilities between Tehran and Washington. The attack came hours after the US military announced it had destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in response to alleged Iranian threats against a Navy warship. Jordan’s military reported intercepting 18 of the 20 missiles, with two falling in unpopulated areas, while Iran claimed the strikes caused “heavy damage” to US facilities.
Iran’s Claims of Damage Contradict Jordanian and US Reports
The IRGC stated it targeted technical and maintenance infrastructure
and locations where enemy fighter jets are stationed
at two US air bases in Jordan, according to a statement cited by Iranian state media. “In this operation, to punish the aggressor with a heavy attack of solid and liquid fuel ballistic missiles, the hangar for maintenance, preparation and deployment of F-35, F-16, F-15 fighter jets, and the fighter shelter were hit, causing heavy damage to the enemy,” the IRGC said.
Jordan’s military, however, reported no casualties and stated its air defense systems successfully intercepted 18 missiles. No casualties were recorded as a result of the attack,
the Jordanian Armed Forces said in a statement. A US official also downplayed the effectiveness of the Iranian strikes, noting all American troops were accounted for.
US Central Command Denies Aggression, Calls Attack a Response to Iranian Threats
The US had previously struck Iranian missile launchers after intelligence indicated Iran was planning to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to US intelligence the Iranians were planning to launch rockets with sea mines attached, to redploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz,
a Fox News reporter cited by jpost.com reported. The IRGC later claimed it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the strait, but CENTCOM dismissed this as false.
Iran Warns Tanker Crews in Kuwait and Bahrain, Escalating Regional Tensions
In addition to the Jordan attack, the IRGC Navy warned oil tanker crews near Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to abandon their vessels, accusing the two countries of hosting US forces. We warn all crews aboard oil tankers in the vicinity of ports in Kuwait and Bahrain — which host these (American) terrorists and are partners in their hostile actions — to immediately leave their vessels,
the IRGC said, per news18.com.
The warnings came as oil prices surged, with Brent crude nearing $100 a barrel amid fears of disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Regional allies have been drawn into the conflict, with increased attacks on military, shipping, and energy assets over the past month.
Iran’s Alleged Capture of US Underwater Drone Sparks Diplomatic Back-and-Forth
The incident highlights the growing use of unmanned systems in the region’s conflict, with both sides deploying advanced technology to monitor and strike targets. The US has repeatedly warned that any attack on its vessels would result in retaliatory actions against Iranian oil infrastructure.
