Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed through state media that its aerospace division launched multiple ballistic missiles at Azraq Air Base in Jordan, precisely striking the parking and maintenance areas of U.S. F-35 stealth fighters (Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II), successfully 'destroying' three stationed F-35s and severely damaging three others. The IRGC further claims the attack resulted in the deaths of 'several U.S. officers and technical maintenance personnel.' However, this reported outcome has not been verified by third-party organizations, the U.S. military, or Jordanian authorities.
The statement was released via Iranian news agencies Tasnim and IRNA, with the military emphasizing that the strike was in retaliation for a U.S. airstrike early on the 30th targeting Qeshm Island in Iran using bunker-buster munitions. Iran alleges the U.S. airstrike killed a family, including parents and children, and injured two other children.
A U.S. F-35 at Vermont Air National Guard Base, April 2022. (AP)
In addition to Qeshm Island, Iranian media reported that prior to the missile retaliation, U.S. forces conducted large-scale airstrikes on multiple strategic locations in southern Iran, including Qeshm Island, Bushehr Province, Fars Province, and Khuzestan Province.
Tehran also issued a formal statement addressing the people of Jordan, asserting that their military action aims to help 'Islamic land Jordan' free itself from U.S. military occupation. They emphasized that the struggle will continue until the last American occupier is expelled from Islamic lands.
In response to Iran's missile launch, Jordan's Ministry of Defense, via Petra News Agency, stated that its air defense systems successfully detected and shot down five incoming missiles from Iran in the early hours of the 30th, with no casualties or damage. According to the government, this marks the fourth consecutive day Jordan has intercepted aerial threats originating from Iran.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR Times
- Category: News