In just five days, U.S. military forces stationed in Jordan absorbed four consecutive attacks from Iran. The latest strike already exacted a heavy toll—two American soldiers were killed, another was listed as missing, and several soldiers were wounded. The surge in attacks is no accident. In recent months, Jordan has become one of the most important hubs of U.S. military activity in the region—and accordingly, a top target for Tehran.
1+American officials who spoke with The New York Times revealed that Jordan’s strategic importance surged on the eve of the war and in its early days. The Pentagon decided at that time to divert forces from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, and move them to Jordan and Israel, which were then considered safer zones.
At the same time, several of Washington’s Gulf allies restricted the ability to station American forces on their territory or operate aircraft in their airspace. As a result, Jordan—which already hosted major U.S. Air Force bases—became the central and most significant axis of American operations.
1+The escalation chain began with a direct hit on a residential compound at King Faisal Air Base, where five soldiers were wounded. Later, a target in the eastern part of the country serving as a base for American Blackhawk helicopters was struck, and according to officials, significant damage was caused to a substantial number of aircraft. The third attack targeted Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, where a barrage of Iranian missiles hit and wounded about 20 American soldiers as they ran to take shelter in bunkers.