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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran said Wednesday it launched a missile attack targeting an air base in Jordan hosting U.S. forces. Neither Jordan nor
the U.S. immediately acknowledged any attack targeting Jordan.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard stated that it launched missiles at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which has hosted American F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft. Tehran had vowed to respond after the U.S. launched airstrikes on Iran following the crash of an Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.The U.S. military conducted airstrikes Wednesday on Iran following the helicopter crash, which U.S. President Donald Trump attributed to the Islamic Republic. Tehran promised retaliation, complicating efforts for a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict that has affected global energy prices. Missile alert sirens activated in Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is based, which Iran claimed it targeted.
Fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force and Navy executed the strikes, targeting air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites, according to U.S. Central Command. Iran confirmed the strikes around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island but did not disclose details on the extent of the damage.
Central Command described the operation as a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial vessels. Trump claimed that Iran shot down the aircraft while it was patrolling over the strait and insisted that the U.S. 'must, of necessity, respond to this attack.' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that foreign military forces near its territory 'are at constant risk' and asserted that Iranian forces 'will leave no attack or threat unanswered.'
The downing of the Apache helicopter and the U.S. military strikes have further strained a two-month ceasefire, which had already been threatened by exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel. Iranian state media reported that Israeli attacks killed at least two members of Iran’s air-defense units.
Since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, the conflict has disrupted the global economy, driving up energy prices and increasing the costs of basic goods. Efforts to transform the April ceasefire into a permanent resolution have stalled, particularly as Israel escalates its military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter reportedly crashed after colliding with an Iranian drone, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. The nature of the collision remains unclear, and official statements indicate that the crash is still under investigation.
In a notable operation, a drone boat successfully rescued two aviators shortly after their aircraft went down during a patrol off the coast of Oman, U.S. Central Command reported. Trump confirmed that both service members were safe and uninjured. The drone boat, identified as a Corsair, was part of the Navy’s Task Force 59, which focuses on maritime security in the region.
AH-64 Apache helicopters have been crucial for the U.S. military in enforcing a blockade on Iranian oil shipments, pressuring Tehran into negotiations. The drone used for the rescue operation was a 24-foot vessel designed for maritime security tasks.
Trump had previously expressed optimism about negotiations with Iran but did not specify the reasons for this optimism. Mediators, mainly from Pakistan, have been attempting to broker a deal, though both Iran and the U.S. maintain hard-line stances. The U.S. demands that Iran relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while Iran seeks relief from sanctions and the release of frozen assets.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remains a significant priority for Iran, as evidenced by the recent visit of Lebanon’s army chief to Pakistan for discussions on the situation. Hezbollah has publicly thanked Iran for its actions against Israel, urging the Lebanese government to improve relations with Tehran.
This version clarifies that the rescue of the two aviators, not the helicopter crash, occurred at 3:30 a.m.
Superville and Toropin reported from Washington. Associated Press writers contributed to this report.
