Amman, Aug. 31 (SANA) Jordanian air defenses intercepted and destroyed eight missiles that breached the Kingdom’s airspace early Monday before they could pose a threat to civilians or property, the Jordanian Armed Forces said.
The army’s official spokesperson said the missiles were dealt with based on precise operational assessments and destroyed before posing a threat to citizens or property.
The interceptions were carried out as part of the armed forces’ national responsibility to protect Jordanian airspace and public safety and in accordance with approved rules of engagement, the spokesperson said.
The Jordanian Armed Forces remain at a high level of readiness across their formations and will take all necessary measures to defend the country, safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its security and stability, he added.
Iranian attack follows U.S. strike on Larak Island
The interceptions came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched ballistic missiles targeting the King Hussein and Al-Azraq U.S. bases in Jordan in retaliation for a U.S. strike on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday.
The IRGC said its Aerospace Force carried out a combined missile-and-drone operation targeting technical and maintenance infrastructure and areas where fighter jets were stationed, claiming the attack caused “heavy damage.”
The Jordanian military statement did not confirm that either base had been hit or report damage to the installations. Reports of significant damage to the bases were not independently confirmed.
U.S. targets Iranian launchers near Strait of Hormuz
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first known U.S. military action against Iran since late July.
U.S. Central Command said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces had been observed preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces took “limited, precise” action against IRGC mine-laying forces that it said posed an imminent threat in the strategic waterway, describing the operation as intended to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping and the free flow of global commerce.
The IRGC said several Iranian military personnel and civilians were killed or wounded in the U.S. strike, without providing a precise casualty toll, and vowed to retaliate.
Renewed escalation between Tehran and Washington
The exchange marked the first direct flare-up between U.S. and Iranian forces since late July, ending a weeks-long lull in direct military action.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have remained high since the conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, followed by Iranian attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major focus of the confrontation. The strategic waterway carried about a fifth of global oil supplies before the conflict and has faced severe disruption to commercial shipping amid the fighting.
Jordan has repeatedly said it will defend its airspace against violations amid the regional escalation. Monday’s interceptions came as the Jordanian Armed Forces reiterated that they would take all necessary measures to safeguard the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security and stability.
I.Z/M.F
