Iran said it launched attacks targeting several military bases hosting US forces in the Middle East in response to American strikes in at least three regions of the Islamic Republic. Iran’s military said its Aerospace Force launched long-range, solid-fuel missiles at an airbase in Jordan, which hosts US military personnel. Four critical targets at the base, including F-35 fighter jet hangars at Al Azraq and a primary command and control centre were destroyed as claimed by IRGC. No photographic evidence have been revealed so far. The US had in Februaray deployed at least 18 US F-35 lightning II sthealth fighters to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Al Azraq.
“We intercepted and downed five missiles launched from Iran toward Azraq,” said the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces in a statement, according to the state-run News Agency. This is for the first time since the ceasefire in effect Jordan has been targeted.
Sirens sounded in Kuwait and Bahrain where authorities reported they were “currently intercepting hostile aerial targets”. The US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Ali Al Salem Base in Kuwait have also been attacked. Bahrain has also confirmed the attacks and asked people to move to safe shelters. Jordan is yet to confirm the attacks.
Following the new wave of attacks, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had chosen to “test” Tehran’s “determination” and the Iranian armed forces would “leave no attack or threat unanswered”.
The strikes came in response to attacks on three strategic locations around the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it has completed strikes against Iran in what it said was retaliation to the downing of an Army Apache helicopter.