Iran performed a retaliatory assault with ballistic missiles and drones in opposition to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, with two U.S. service members killed and yet one more nonetheless lacking.
In a retaliatory strike for the latest U.S. bombing marketing campaign, Iran has attacked Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan with ballistic missiles and drones on July 17, 2026. The bottom is thought to host a big presence of U.S. forces.
In a press release on July 18, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the assault, saying that it brought on the dying of two U.S. service members whereas yet one more remains to be lacking. A number of others have been injured however now returned to obligation, says CENTCOM, together with 4 that have been evacuated to Jordanian hospitals.
CENTCOM Assertion on Just lately Fallen, Lacking U.S. Service Members
TAMPA, Fla. — On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan have been killed in motion as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and accomplice forces defended in opposition to Iranian ballistic missile and drone assaults. Moreover,…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
The strike in opposition to the Jordanian base comes after a weeklong trade of strikes between the U.S. and Iran. As of July 17, U.S. forces performed seven consecutive nights of strikes, with Iran responding by attacking close by international locations, together with Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar.
Strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base
The strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base occurred within the intervening night time between July 17 and 18. A minimum of two missiles impacted the bottom, in response to open supply experiences.
NASA’s Fireplace Data for Useful resource Administration System (FIRMS) satellites reported two warmth sources on the base round 2:00 AM native time. The world signaled by FIRMS seemed to be the place the dwelling quarters for personnel have been situated.
A hearth is burning on the USAF-utilized Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan after an Iranian ballistic missile assault earlier tonight.
NASA’s FIRMS detected two warmth sources round 2:00 AM native time. pic.twitter.com/j6ViIsSkkn
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 18, 2026
A video, seemingly captured from the dwelling quarter’s space, exhibits the second a missile impacted the bottom.
📍Muwaffaq Salti Air Base final night time, Jordan, second of direct hit by an Iranian Ballistic Missiles. pic.twitter.com/SQMRtD7klZ
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) July 18, 2026
Presently there isn’t any details about the extent of the injury, with CENTCOM’s assertion within the afternoon of July 18 being the primary affirmation of injury and casualties on the base.
Giant plumes of smoke are billowing from Jordan’s Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base after it was hit as soon as once more by Iranian ballistic missiles this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/7q6wsPu0LB
— Egypt’s Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) July 18, 2026
As occurred on earlier events, the assault on the Jordanian base is prone to trike a brand new wave of U.S. assaults. On the time of writing there are but no reactions or statements from the U.S. management.
U.S.-Iran exchanges
Whereas a big a part of the contingent of U.S. plane deployed to the Center East returned house within the first days of July, U.S. forces racked up strike after strike on Iranian targets, exhibiting the efficient collapse of the delicate ceasefire.
CENTCOM launched a spherical of strikes in opposition to Iran at 3 p.m. ET at this time for the seventh consecutive night time. The strikes are designed to proceed degrading Iranian navy capabilities on the Commander in Chief’s route.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 17, 2026
As talked about within the opening, CENTCOM confirmed that the strikes have been performed on seven consecutive nights. Targets included surveillance websites, navy logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities.
CENTCOM mentioned the aim was to “additional degrade Iranian navy capabilities,” and particularly the “navy capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting by the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran referred to as this an unjustified act of aggression.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any nation internet hosting U.S. bases concerned within the assaults in opposition to Iran ought to count on a response. The IRGC additionally claimed it solely struck navy services.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a press release claiming its newest strikes have been carried out in direct response to latest U.S. assaults on Iranian infrastructure.
The IRGC warned that any nation internet hosting U.S. forces used to conduct operations in opposition to Iran ought to… pic.twitter.com/LhfICUFQbJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 18, 2026
Nevertheless, international locations across the Gulf reported that the Iranian assaults struck civilian infrastructure, together with water and electrical energy. Kuwait confirmed that there have been accidents amongst emergency responders and civilians, whereas different international locations reported intercepts of Iranian assaults.
In a single day, Iran launched strikes in opposition to U.S. property and regional companions throughout the Gulf following reported U.S. assaults on Iranian infrastructure.
Iran had beforehand warned it might goal the infrastructure of any Gulf nation internet hosting U.S. forces concerned in operations…
— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) July 18, 2026
In the meantime, the U.S. is deploying once more further fighters to the area. Amongst these are reportedly included plane from RAF Lakenheath, UK, and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
