Amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East, a key US airbase in Jordan came under attack overnight, with several US Air Force aircraft reported damaged. The A-10 Thunderbolt was the worst-hit, while several F-15 fighter jets also sustained damage. According to American media reports, US forces stationed at the base attempted to intercept the attack with missiles.
The attack targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, located in a military area linked to Amman, Jordan. Reuters reported the development citing US media reports. CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs said on social media platform X that American aircraft had been damaged in the attack.
According to reports, the A-10 Thunderbolt II suffered the most serious damage, with one of its wings torn off. The A-10, also known as the "Warthog" in US military circles, is known for providing close air support against ground military positions and armoured targets.
Around eight F-15 fighter jets were also caught in the attack, though they reportedly sustained comparatively lighter damage. After necessary inspection and repairs, they were returned to service.
The F-15 is among the US Air Force's principal air-superiority fighters, valued for its long operational range and heavy weapons-carrying capacity, which is why the damage to multiple F-15s at a single base is being seen as strategically significant.
The attack came amid already heightened tensions between the US and Iran. According to reports, the situation intensified after the US targeted Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday, following which Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have carried out retaliatory action.
The IRGC claims its strikes targeted eight tankers, two warships and the airbase in Jordan. However, independent confirmation of all details regarding the attack and the resulting damage is not yet available.
US military forces reportedly fired more than 30 Patriot missiles to intercept incoming projectiles, suggesting the attack was fairly extensive and that American defence systems had to be actively deployed.
Jordan holds strategic importance for US military operations in the Middle East. The attack on the American base there is not limited to aircraft damage alone; it also underscores the growing regional conflict and the security challenges facing US military deployments in the area.