Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed it had struck the US Al-Azraq air base in northern Jordan with 10 ballistic missiles, describing the target as an "enemy command and control centre in West Asia." The strikes were carried out in retaliation for a recent attack on Tehran by Washington, according to a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
IRGC Details the Missile Strike
The IRGC said the missile strikes marked the "second phase" of its response to what it described as aggression by the United States. "At 2:20 pm today, IRGC aerospace fighters destroyed the enemy's command and control centre in West Asia and the enemy air base in Al-Azraq, Jordan, with 10 ballistic missiles," the statement read. The IRGC warned that further US military action would trigger additional attacks on American bases in the region. "If the US terrorist army repeats its aggression, other US bases in the region will not be safe from our heavy fire," the statement added. It further noted that Iran had previously warned that repeated attacks would lead to an expansion of its military response.
Jordan Confirms Airspace Breach
Jordan confirmed that air raid sirens had been activated after missiles entered the country's airspace from Iran. Jordan's government spokesperson Mohammad Al-Momani, in a post on X, said, "Air raid sirens were activated by the Public Security Directorate just moments ago, following reports of the Kingdom's airspace being breached by missiles launched from Iran, which were intercepted and dealt with." He added, "The valiant Jordanian Armed Forces are on high alert, ready to address any threat facing the Kingdom, and are deploying all their efforts to safeguard the nation's security and the safety of its citizens."
First Phase of Retaliation
In the "first phase of its punitive response," the IRGC struck key infrastructure at four US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for American strikes in Tehran. According to Press TV, the IRGC detailed the retaliation in a statement earlier today, identifying the targeted outposts as Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait and Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain, and stated that the facilities were hit using missiles and drones. The IRGC condemned the US attacks, calling them a "violation of commitments" and affirming its resolve to fight against the "child-killing US military."
US Central Command Strikes Against Iran
The Iranian action comes after US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday said its forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following recent attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews. In a post shared on X, US CENTCOM said, "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
Impact on Iranian Cities
Meanwhile, Iran's southern port city of Chabahar experienced power cuts after the United States airstrikes, according to CNN, citing Iranian state media. Additionally, explosions were also reported in the Iranian city of Bushehr, CNN reported, citing the semi-official Fars news agency.
