The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has announced that it conducted a series of heavy ballistic missile strikes targeting US aircraft at Jordan's Aqaba airport. According to the IRGC, the operation resulted in significant damage to several US C-17 transport planes and P-8 aircraft stationed at the site. Furthermore, the organization reported that 20 hangars used by US forces at the Muwaffaq Salti/Al-Azraq air base were destroyed during the strikes.
In a separate incident, the Mehr News Agency reported that an MQ-9 drone was intercepted and shot down over Eslamabad-e Gharb, located in Iran's western Kermanshah province. The report indicated that the drone was targeted by an advanced air defense system integrated into the IRGC Aerospace Force’s network.
Tensions also escalated in the southern Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC stated that two oil tankers were halted following explosions late last night. The IRGC alleged that these vessels were attempting to traverse the strategic waterway under what it characterized as "US coercion." Issuing a warning regarding the region, the IRGC declared, "This passage is unsafe for the transport of chemical fertilizer or even a single drop of oil and gas," adding that the corridor would remain hazardous as long as US military operations continue in the area.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to the situation by stating that Iran is utilizing the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. Rubio called on other nations to "step up" in response to the developments, though he emphasized that the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution regarding Iran.
