Jordan’s military intercepted three Iranian ballistic missiles in the early hours of Wednesday as the United States intensified its air campaign against Iran, signaling a widening regional conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
The Jordanian Armed Forces said its air defense systems successfully destroyed the missiles before they could reach their intended targets, marking another instance of the kingdom becoming directly involved in efforts to counter Iranian attacks. Reports also indicated that Iran targeted U.S.-linked military facilities in Jordan as part of its latest wave of retaliation.
The interceptions came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) concluded a fourth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. According to CENTCOM, the latest operation lasted about seven hours and targeted dozens of military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s southern coastline, including missile and drone installations, naval assets and coastal defense systems.
The strikes followed Washington’s decision to resume a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move the United States says is intended to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after repeated attacks on merchant vessels.
The latest exchange underscores the expanding geographical scope of the conflict. What began as a confrontation centered on maritime security in the Gulf has now drawn in neighboring countries, with Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait reporting Iranian missile or drone attacks linked to U.S. military facilities on their territory.
Regional governments have heightened security as fears grow that continued retaliatory strikes could ignite a broader Middle East conflict involving multiple U.S. allies and partners.
