WASHINGTON — Regional tensions escalated sharply after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed launching barrage of missile and drone attack hitting US fighter jets and military facilities in Jordan.
The claims came as Iranian state media reported that US airstrikes inside Iran entered 7th consecutive day, further raising fears of wider regional conflict. The confrontation between US and Iran entered one of its most dangerous phases yet, as attakcs escalated to Middle East.
In statement released during what it called 14th phase of Operation Nasr 2, Iranian forces said the operation was carried out in retaliation for alleged US attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, accusing Washington of striking bridges, residential neighborhoods, and a water pumping station in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
Iran responds to U.S. strikes with attacks across the region.
🇸🇾 Al-Tanf Base, Syria: IRGC says it struck a covert special operations center, killing several U.S. soldiers and hitting a radar system and multiple helicopters.
🇰🇼 Kuwait: Missile defense radar, ammunition depots,… pic.twitter.com/GDN4YStrjb
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws1) July 17, 2026
IRGC claimed the two-stage assault involved multiple ballistic missiles and a large number of drones targeting American military positions in several countries.
Among its most significant claims, the IRGC said it struck Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Jordan, alleging that several US fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-15, and F-16 jets, as well as aerial refueling aircraft were destroyed, while others sustained heavy damage. The claims have not been independently verified, and US officials have not confirmed any reported losses.
The Iranian military also claimed responsibility for attacks on a covert US special operations center at Al-Tanf base in Syria, alleging that several American soldiers were killed and that a radar system and multiple helicopters were hit.
According to the statement, additional targets included a US missile detection and surveillance radar system in Kuwait, weapons depots, two HIMARS rocket launchers, and storage facilities for ATACMS ballistic missiles.
The IRGC further alleged that it struck maritime surveillance radar installations at Salama Rocks (Quoin Islands) in the Strait of Hormuz, another US air-surveillance radar site in Oman’s Ghanam area, and carried out rapid missile and drone attacks against positions housing US troops and allied forces operating under American and Israeli command. The statement did not specify the exact location of the final operation, though it followed references to military sites in Kuwait and other regional bases.
Alongside the military claims, the IRGC issued a direct appeal to the Jordanian people, accusing Washington of turning Al-Azraq Air Base into a regional command hub for operations against Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon. It urged Jordanians and members of the country’s armed forces to oppose the American military presence and target what it described as US occupation forces inside Jordan.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that US military operations continued across southern Iran for a seventh straight day, with fresh strikes hitting multiple strategic and civilian locations.
According to the reports, eight people were killed and fourteen others injured in the latest attacks. Iranian media said the strikes targeted an Iranian Air Force base, a military garrison in Bushehr, and a nuclear facility, while also damaging residential neighborhoods, an airport, bridges, and a railway junction in Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Bushehr, Bandar Khamir, and Iranshahr.
Officials said one of the deadliest incidents occurred near Bandar Khamir, where a strike on a bridge reportedly killed seven people and wounded four others. Another attack on the Tappeh Allah Akbar neighborhood in Bandar Abbas allegedly left one civilian dead and eight injured.
Authorities also reported injuries following a strike on the Bandar Abbas railway junction. In the aftermath, major transportation routes connecting Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir, and the Lar highway were closed as emergency officials urged residents to avoid affected areas.
Eight killed, 20 injured in overnight US strikes, Iran launches counter attacks on US bases
