Iran Strikes US Bases in Jordan, Bahrain Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran on Wednesday launched missile attacks on United States military facilities in Jordan and Bahrain, further escalating tensions in the Middle East and threatening a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April.

 

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said the strikes targeted American military positions in both countries, while warning Gulf nations against allowing the United States or Israel to use their territories for operations against Iran.

 

The attacks followed recent US military strikes on Iranian targets, which Washington said were carried out in response to the downing of an American Apache attack helicopter.

 

In Bahrain, residents of the capital, Manama, reported hearing multiple explosions as air defence systems responded to the attack. Bahraini authorities later announced that a number of Iranian aerial threats had been intercepted and destroyed.

 

Jordan’s military also confirmed that it intercepted five missiles fired towards US-linked targets within its territory, adding that there were no casualties or significant damage.

 

Iran’s foreign ministry subsequently called on countries in the Gulf region to prevent the United States and Israel from using their territories or facilities to carry out military operations against the Islamic Republic.

 

The ministry stated that countries in the region have a “legal and moral responsibility” to ensure their territories are not used to support hostile actions against Iran.

 

The latest developments come after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had completed military strikes on Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar facilities near the Strait of Hormuz.

 

US President Donald Trump described the operation as a strong response to the downing of the American helicopter and maintained that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict were nearing completion.

 

Speaking earlier, Trump said talks to secure a lasting settlement were in their “final throes” and could produce results within days.

 

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed retaliation, insisting that Iran would not allow any attack or threat against the country to go unanswered.

 

The renewed hostilities have triggered international concern, with Russia and China urging both sides to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

 

Russia said it was “extremely concerned” by the latest confrontation, while China called on all parties to take practical steps to reduce tensions.

 

The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has destabilised parts of the Middle East, disrupted global energy markets and complicated diplomatic efforts to restore regional stability.

 

The situation has also affected developments in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israeli forces have continued exchanging attacks despite a nominal truce.

 

Lebanese authorities reported that at least 11 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the southern city of Tyre on Tuesday, prompting fresh displacement as residents fled the area following evacuation warnings.

 

Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding the conflict has continued to affect global oil markets and efforts to restore normal activities around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for international energy supplies.

 

Crude oil prices rose by about one per cent on Wednesday as concerns grew over the possibility of a wider regional conflict.

 

The downed Apache helicopter marks the second confirmed US crewed aircraft lost during the conflict, following the earlier loss of an F-15 fighter jet in April.

 

According to CENTCOM, the two crew members aboard the helicopter were successfully rescued after the aircraft crashed near the coast of Oman.