Iran Attacks US Base in Jordan, Ships Near Hormuz

Iran launched ballistic missiles at a military base in Jordan used by U.S. forces and claimed attacks on 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the six-month conflict. The Iranian actions followed U.S. strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday. According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the missile attack targeted the Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan, with claims of inflicting heavy damage on maintenance facilities and fighter jet shelters. However, Jordan's military reported that its air defense systems intercepted 18 of the 20 Iranian missiles launched, with the remaining two landing in unpopulated areas. A U.S. official stated that the strikes were ineffective and all American troops were accounted for, with no American personnel injured. The IRGC also asserted it attacked 10 vessels, including two U.S. ships and eight oil tankers, attempting to transit a prohibited area of the Strait of Hormuz. This vital waterway is a critical route for global energy supplies and has experienced severe disruptions throughout the conflict. The U.S.