Attack on Jordan, Naval Blockade by US: Iran-US Conflict Escalates Again

Tensions in West Asia escalated further after Iran claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes targeting US military assets in Bahrain and Jordan, even as Washington carried out a fourth consecutive night of attacks on Iranian targets and tightened restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to statements issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Iranian forces struck a US military facility in Jordan with a ballistic missile, alleging that the base had been used to launch attacks against Tehran. The IRGC said the operation was directed at American forces and not the Jordanian people.

Iran claims strikes on US assets in Bahrain

Iran also claimed to have targeted several US military installations in Bahrain, including weapons depots, military radar systems and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet. Iranian state media reported that missile and drone strikes damaged a Patriot radar system, an air-control radar and a C-RAM early warning system.

The IRGC further alleged that fuel storage facilities at the Fifth Fleet headquarters were set ablaze during the operation.

US launches fourth consecutive night of strikes

The latest Iranian strikes came as the United States continued its military campaign against Tehran for a fourth straight night. The US Central Command confirmed that fresh attacks had been launched on Monday at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Trump warned that the intensity of the strikes would increase in the coming days unless Iran returned to negotiations, threatening to target the country’s power plants and bridges next week.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, tomorrow night and the night after,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News, adding that Iran had “no choice” but to negotiate.

Naval restrictions tighten around Iran

Trump also claimed that while the Strait of Hormuz remained open to international shipping, Iranian vessels were effectively blocked from using the crucial waterway.

Shipping data cited by Fox News showed that only 10 vessels passed through the strait on Monday, less than 10% of normal traffic, raising concerns over a potential naval blockade and its impact on global energy supplies.

The US president said Washington had so far avoided directly targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure due to concerns over the global economy, but warned that energy facilities could be attacked if the conflict continues.