Iran fired a series of missiles at a U.S. military installation in Jordan overnight on September 9, 2026, in direct retaliation for American strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. The launch triggered interceptions by Jordanian air defense systems, with plumes visible in the night sky from neighboring Damascus.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the attack was a response to what it described as desperate aggression by U.S. forces against Iranian commercial and energy vessels. “The defeated and aggressor U.S. terrorist military… attacked several Iranian commercial and oil vessels,” the IRGC said in a statement reported by Iranian state media. “This powerful battle will continue.”
A spokesperson for the Jordanian Armed Forces confirmed that 20 ballistic missiles were launched toward its territory. Air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 18 of the projectiles, while the remaining two landed in unpopulated areas, causing no reported casualties or damage.
The incident represents a sharp escalation in a renewed conflict that had seen a brief respite before flaring up again last week. On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had sunk five Iranian crude oil tankers after Iran targeted U.S. Navy ships with ballistic missiles over the preceding 48 hours. In response to Iranian claims that two U.S. vessels were hit, CENTCOM denied the allegations, stating that “all IRGC attempted attacks failed” and that no American personnel were harmed.
While Iranian media reported that the IRGC targeted two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, U.K. Maritime Trade Operations noted reports of “disabling fire” against merchant ships in the region but could not verify the details or impact.
President Donald Trump continues to apply military and economic pressure on Tehran, which has warned it could widen the conflict by targeting U.S. oil and gas interests throughout the Gulf. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the tanker strikes on Wednesday as “a clear threat to regional and international peace and security,” arguing they dangerously escalate tensions.
Compounding the instability, Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched attacks on four Saudi cities on Tuesday, aiming at oil infrastructure. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported 73 injuries. These strikes ended a four-year informal ceasefire in Yemen’s civil war and threaten to further disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital artery for global commerce and energy transport.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the cross-border violence on Tuesday, noting the strong defensive alliance between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. “The U.S. has a very strong defensive military relationship with Saudi Arabia, and we’re watching those events very closely,” Rubio said.
Trump really said ‘let’s see what they do.’ Economic pressure sounds good until ballistic missiles start raining down on allies. Bold and risky strategy.
Does anyone know if the two missiles that landed caused any damage to infrastructure? The article says unpopulated areas, but I worry about oil facilities nearby.
This feels like a preview of a much wider war. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia plus Iranian missiles in Jordan means the whole region is fragile right now.
Jordan’s air defense拦截rate is impressive, but two still got through. What happens if next time the defenses are overwhelmed?
I can’t believe we are back to this. Five tankers gone and missiles flying over Jordan? The escalation is terrifyingly fast.