Iran Fires Missiles at Jordan’s Aqaba Amid Regional Tensions and Flight Disruptions

On Wednesday morning, Iran launched missiles targeting the Jordanian city of Aqaba, near the Israeli city of Eilat. Residents in Eilat reported hearing explosions, and flights en route to the area, including from Ben Gurion Airport to Eilat and from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, were delayed or rerouted due to the missile activity.

In response to the escalating military tensions, a coalition of Jordanian national, political, academic, cultural, and tribal leaders issued a statement urging their government to halt the presence of foreign forces, especially American troops, on Jordanian soil. They argued that such foreign military presence exposes Jordan to significant security, political, and economic risks amid the ongoing regional conflict. The statement emphasized Jordan’s neutrality, calling for transparency regarding military agreements with the U.S. and insisting that Jordanian strategic assets not be used in the regional war.

Recent missile strikes from Iran have targeted multiple locations in Jordan, including Aqaba, with some missile debris reportedly falling within Israeli territory near Eilat. Experts told The New York Times that Jordan plays an increasingly central role in U.S. military operations against Iran, with Washington relying heavily on Jordanian bases due to shifting alliances in the Gulf. Unlike wealthier Gulf states, Jordan depends more on U.S. aid and is less able to refuse American military requests.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has conducted a series of airstrikes against Iranian targets in various provinces, including Bushehr and Hormozgan, aiming to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s military claimed retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. The Iranian emergency command warned that any attack on its nuclear or sensitive sites would escalate the conflict further.

Former Israeli military intelligence official Danny Sitrinovitz commented on the situation, noting that while current strikes remain within defined limits, the risk of escalation is high, especially regarding the sensitive "Mountain of the Centrifuges" nuclear site. He stressed the need for Israel and the U.S. to coordinate strategic objectives before any renewed Israeli involvement, highlighting the importance of addressing Iran’s nuclear program rather than only regional military confrontations.

The situation remains volatile, with regional actors navigating complex military and political pressures amid ongoing U.S.-Iran hostilities and concerns over Jordan’s role and security.