Escalating Tensions: Iran Strikes US Base in Jordan and Shipping in Hormuz

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan and targeted multiple vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. This offensive comes on the heels of a US operation that reportedly destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, intensifying the ongoing conflict that has persisted for six months.

According to the IRGC, the missile attack on the base near Al Azraq was a calculated response to recent aggressive maneuvers by the US Navy, which included being targeted twice by Iranian missiles. While the IRGC claimed substantial damage, Jordan's military reported that its air defenses intercepted the majority of the missiles, with no casualties reported among its forces or American personnel.

The US military responded with a statement confirming that all American troops were safe and released footage of the strikes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the repercussions for Iran, stating, "Iran continues to try to hit US naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they’re going to lose tankers." Meanwhile, the IRGC also reported attacking ten ships, including two US vessels, in what they deemed a “prohibited and unsafe” area of the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: www.dawn.com