Iran has increasingly targeted the Kingdom of Jordan in recent weeks, mounting ballistic missile and drone strikes that have killed Americans and threatened the country's territory. The escalation is detailed in two opinion-and-analysis pieces published by the Jerusalem Post, which describe Jordan as a new and vulnerable point of entry for Iran's regional front line.

Coverage comparison

The two Jerusalem Post articles, both written by Seth J. Frantzman, approach the subject from related but slightly different angles. The earlier piece, from July 19, focuses on the increased frequency and severity of the attacks, including an Iranian strike on the southern city of Aqaba and an attack that killed US soldiers. The later piece, from July 28-29, concentrates on the vulnerability of Jordanve, describing the kingdom as a potential "soft underbelly" for Western allies in the region. Both articles note that Iran's campaign against Jordan is not new, but they together depict a recent surge in aggression.

The July 19 article emphasizes Iran's intent, arguing that its assaults are designed to "terrorize" the kingdom and the US forces stationed there. The July 28-29 piece highlights Jordan's military response, including air-defense interceptions, and discusses the strategic context of Iran's targeting. Neither piece reports a disagreement about the facts; they corroborate each other on the details of the attacks, the role of Iranian-backed militias, and the broader regional picture.

Key claims

Jerusalem Post articles jointly make the following assertions:

  • Iran is rapidly increasing attacks on Jordan, with the July 19 piece stating the attacks have become "more deadly and more extreme" than previous ones. It cites a specific incident where Iran targeted the southern city of Aqaba.
  • The IRGC targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in the most recent incident overnight on July 28-29, according to Iranian state media as reported in the July 28-29 article. Jordan's air defense intercepted and destroyed five incoming missiles, the Jordanian military said, with the same article also noting that the IRGC claimed to have targeted a US Central Command site in Jordan.
  • Iran killed US soldiers in Jordan in a previous attack. The July 19 article notes that Iran killed Americans in that strike without specifying the date; the July 28-29 piece identifies it as a January 2024 attack on Tower 22, a site in eastern Jordan, claimed by the Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, which killed three American service members.
  • Iran is in its regional calculation choosing to strike Jordan rather than Israel. The July 28-29 article observes that Iran has seen Jordan as a potential frontline for years, acting as a "soft underbelly" of Western allies, and that Tehran prefers hitting the kingdom over the Gulf states.
  • Both pieces emphasize Jordan's historical role as a Western ally, noting its creation as a British Mandate territory and the lineage of its monarchy. They recall that Jordan's military, originally the Arab Legion, was drilled by British officers after World War I.
  • The July 18 piece also mentions that Iran has carried out hundreds of attacks elsewhere in the region, particularly in Iraq against Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, as part of its broader strategy.

Perspectives

Jordanian military

In the incident described by the Israeli Post, Jordan's military said it intercepted and had shot down five Iranian missiles launched early Wednesday, according to the army's statement. The military confirmed that it had knocked down the missile barrage, effectively protecting the air base.

Iranian state media

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC had targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, and claimed to have also hit a US Central Command site in Jordan. These statements, as recounted in the Jerusalem, would represent Tehran's public explanation of its actions, though the claims are not independently verified in the article.