Iranian attack damages US A-10, F-15 jets at Jordan air base, report

AMMAN: An Iranian attack on a US air base in Jordan has reportedly damaged several American military aircraft, adding a new layer of tension to the widening confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

According to a report by US broadcaster CBS, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, popularly known as the “Warthog”, was hit during the Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The aircraft reportedly suffered significant damage, including the loss of one of its wings.

The report also said that around eight F-15 fighter jets sustained minor damage in the attack. The aircraft were reportedly repaired and returned to service, suggesting that the damage did not permanently affect the US fighter fleet operating from the base.

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has emerged as an important US military facility in the region. American forces operate dozens of combat aircraft from the Jordanian base, making it a key location for US air operations connected to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The reported damage to American aircraft highlights the growing risks faced by US forces as Iranian attacks expand beyond Iran’s immediate neighbours and target American military infrastructure across the region.

The latest incident comes amid a rapidly escalating cycle of attacks between Iran, the United States and their respective allies. Earlier this week, the United States reportedly attacked five Iranian tankers, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes against several American bases and allied facilities across the region.

The exchange has raised concerns about the vulnerability of US military installations, particularly those located in countries surrounding Iran.

Separate media reports have also claimed that the US military has begun moving helicopters away from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base following the attack. The reported redeployment could indicate efforts to reduce the exposure of valuable aircraft and other military assets to further Iranian strikes.

However, the extent of the reported aircraft damage and the scale of any US military repositioning remain subjects of close scrutiny.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed primarily for close-air-support missions and is particularly known for its ability to withstand battlefield damage. The F-15, meanwhile, is one of the US Air Force’s principal fighter aircraft and has long been used for air superiority and strike missions.

The reported loss of an A-10 wing and damage to multiple F-15s therefore carries significance beyond the immediate material losses, illustrating the potential reach of Iranian attacks against US forces in the region.

Jordan has become strategically important to US military operations in the Middle East because of its location and longstanding security cooperation with Washington. Any continued attacks on American facilities there could put additional pressure on Jordan while complicating US military planning.

The incident also comes as the wider conflict threatens to affect regional airspace, energy infrastructure and key transport routes.

With both sides continuing to exchange attacks, the reported strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base could prove another indication that the conflict is becoming increasingly difficult to contain.