By SCM International Desk I Wednesday, Sept 09, 2026
TEHRAN — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday that its forces launched a heavy ballistic missile barrage against a base housing American military personnel in Jordan, alleging that the strike destroyed critical maintenance hangars and fighter aircraft.
In a formal statement issued by its public relations division, labeled “Announcement No. 13,” the paramilitary organization stated that its Aerospace Force carried out operation “Ya Haidar Karrar” against the site—identified in the statement as the “Al-Azraq” base.
According to the IRGC statement, the strike utilized a combination of solid- and liquid-fueled ballistic missiles to target facilities housing F-35, F-16, and F-15 fighter jets. Tehran framed the operation as direct retaliation for recent U.S. actions against Iranian commercial oil tankers, referencing recent naval skirmishes in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Independent military observers and defense officials have not immediately verified the extent of the damage claimed by Tehran.
State media in Jordan and international defense networks previously reported intercepting incoming projectiles over Jordanian airspace, though local military officials noted some debris fell in uninhabited areas.
The announcement underscores a rapidly worsening confrontation between Washington and Tehran, marked by tit-for-tat exchanges across major Middle Eastern maritime and air corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz Flashpoint: The IRGC’s statement explicitly ties the missile barrage to maritime skirmishes in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz—a choke point through which roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum passes.
Recent months have seen heightened friction as U.S. forces have attempted to enforce maritime security, while Iranian naval forces have targeted commercial shipping and oil tankers in response to economic sanctions and regional strikes.
The Role of Bases in Jordan: Jordan hosts U.S. military personnel and air assets under bilateral defense agreements, notably at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq.
These facilities serve as critical logistical and operational nodes for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), supporting regional air defense patrols and operations across the Middle East.
Information Warfare and Propaganda: Statements issued through official IRGC channels—often punctuated by religious framing and tactical claims—serve dual purposes: signaling domestic strength inside Iran and projecting deterrence to foreign adversaries. U.S. defense officials historically treat unverified claims regarding equipment destruction from Iranian propaganda outlets with heavy skepticism, often pointing out that intercepted missiles or minor fragments are routinely portrayed as massive operational victories by state media.
