Several US military aircraft were damaged after Iran launched an overnight attack on the American military presence at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The strike marks another escalation in the continuing confrontation between the United States and Iran, with American military facilities and assets across the region increasingly coming under attack.
An A-10 Thunderbolt, widely known as the Warthog, was struck during the attack and suffered severe damage, including the loss of a wing. Around eight F-15 fighter jets also reportedly sustained lighter damage. Despite the damage, the affected F-15 aircraft were subsequently returned to service, highlighting the rapid efforts by US forces to maintain operational readiness at the strategically important air base.
The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, located near Al Azraq in Jordan, is an important hub for US air operations in the region. The United States operates a significant number of military aircraft from the facility, making it a strategically important target amid the widening US-Iran conflict. Jordan has also faced repeated Iranian missile and drone threats because of its close military partnership with Washington.
US forces at the base fired more than 30 Patriot interceptor missiles while defending against the Iranian attack. Jordanian authorities have previously reported intercepting a large majority of Iranian missiles directed toward its territory during the latest escalation.
The Iranian attack followed a series of rapidly escalating military actions between Tehran and Washington. Earlier this week, the United States announced strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iranian forces targeted a US Navy warship. Iran subsequently launched attacks against US-linked targets in the region, including the military facility in Jordan.
The reported damage to US aircraft underscores the growing vulnerability of forward-deployed military assets as Iran expands its retaliatory operations beyond its immediate territory. While the reported losses at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base appear limited compared with the overall US air presence, the incident demonstrates the ability of Iranian missile attacks to disrupt or damage high-value military infrastructure.
The latest development comes as the broader conflict continues to affect regional security, maritime traffic and global energy markets. Iran has also threatened shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, while attacks involving US and Iranian forces have contributed to renewed concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important energy routes.
With the United States maintaining military operations in the region and Iran continuing retaliatory attacks, the damage reported at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base could further increase pressure on Washington to protect its forward air assets and military installations. The incident also highlights the increasingly complex air-defence environment facing US forces and their regional partners as the conflict enters another phase of escalation.