The IRGC claimed several US aircraft were destroyed while many others suffered significant damage, but the claims remain unverified, with neither the US nor Jordan confirming any damage to American military assets. Representative image: Wikimedia Commons
Iran claims missile and drone strikes on US aircraft in Jordan as conflict spreads
Tehran says it destroyed US fighter jets and refuelling aircraft in Jordan, while the US intensifies strikes on Iranian military infrastructure; Jordan reports intercepting missiles
The conflict between the United States and Iran widened dramatically on Friday (July 17), with Tehran claiming it had carried out missile and drone strikes on US military aircraft stationed in Jordan, even as Washington pressed ahead with a sixth consecutive night of attacks on Iranian targets.
According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, the strikes were conducted in two waves under the 14th phase of "Operation Nasr 2" and targeted American fighter jets and aerial refuelling aircraft.
The IRGC claimed that several US aircraft were destroyed while many others suffered significant damage. Iranian state television also reported that US fighter jets stationed in Jordan had been hit.
However, the claims remain unverified, with neither the United States nor Jordan confirming any damage to American military assets.
Jordan intercepts missiles
Hours before Iran announced the attack, Jordan's military said it had intercepted and destroyed three Iranian missiles over its territory without causing casualties or material damage.
The IRGC also called on Jordanians to target what it described as American interests in the country, accusing Washington of carrying out aggression against Iran.
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The developments have heightened concerns that the conflict is increasingly spilling beyond Iran and Israel, drawing neighbouring US allies deeper into the confrontation.
US expands military offensive
The latest escalation followed fresh US strikes across Iran overnight.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces targeted dozens of sites linked to Iran's military capabilities, including coastal surveillance systems, air-defence positions, logistics facilities, and maritime assets around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, however, accused Washington of also striking civilian infrastructure. State media reported attacks near Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Qeshm Island, besides alleged strikes on Iranshahr Airport, a railway station, and several bridges in Hormozgan province.
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The attacks came days after US President Donald Trump warned that bridges and power infrastructure in Iran could be targeted unless Tehran returned to negotiations.
Hormozgan provincial authorities said at least seven people were killed in the latest strikes. Iran's Health Ministry said renewed fighting has left at least 38 people dead and more than 400 injured since hostilities resumed.
Retaliatory attacks across the region
Iran also claimed to have launched strikes against US and allied targets elsewhere in the Middle East.
The IRGC said it hit American maritime surveillance radar sites in Oman, targets in Kuwait and Bahrain, and a US special operations command centre at al-Tanf in Syria near the Jordanian border. It also claimed to have carried out fresh attacks against Qatar, another key US partner in the region.
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There was no immediate confirmation from the US, Syria, or the Gulf states regarding those claims.
With a temporary ceasefire brokered last month having collapsed, diplomatic efforts showed little sign of progress. On Friday, China and Pakistan jointly urged both Washington and Tehran to halt military operations and resume negotiations to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.