AMMAN, Jordan, July 18 (ANI): Jordan’s air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 10 Iranian missiles that entered the country’s airspace during the early hours of Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. The kingdom’s armed forces deployed defensive measures to neutralize the incoming projectiles after they crossed into Jordanian territory.
According to the military, the anti-missile operation “was carried out in accordance with standard defensive measures to safeguard the kingdom’s sovereignty and ensure public safety.”
The military command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s airspace and maintaining its territorial integrity against external threats.
A subsequent report by Al Jazeera said the interceptions caused no casualties or damage within Jordan.
“No casualties or material damage were reported from the interceptions, and Royal Engineers units have already begun clearing and securing debris from the impact sites,” the report said.
The regional escalation also prompted emergency defensive measures in Kuwait, where air defense systems intercepted a wave of missiles and drones following what military officials described as “Iranian aggression.”
The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army confirmed the interceptions in a public statement, assuring residents that loud explosions heard across the country were the result of air defense systems successfully neutralizing incoming threats.
Authorities have not released details regarding specific targets or casualties. However, military leaders urged the public to remain calm and follow security and safety instructions issued by civil defense authorities as the situation continues to develop.
In a post on X, Kuwait’s armed forces said the latest engagement marked the second time in recent hours that the military had intercepted hostile targets.
The military activity comes as Washington expands its offensive against Tehran, launching fresh strikes on transportation networks, energy infrastructure, and a strategic port facility.
The latest wave of attacks follows continued pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Tehran over its control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
In a post on X, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched strikes against Iran at about 3 p.m. Friday and concluded the operations at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces used fighter aircraft, aerial drones, warships, and other military assets to strike surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities, and maritime capabilities.
Underscoring the objective of the operation, the command stated, “CENTCOM continues to hold Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction while fully enforcing a naval blockade against Iranian ports.”
In response to the U.S. strikes, Tehran launched missiles Friday targeting several countries aligned with Washington across the Gulf.
The retaliatory strikes targeted Qatar, which has been serving as a mediator in the conflict, and Kuwait, where officials confirmed that one of the country’s desalination facilities sustained damage.
The hostilities, now in their fifth month, have resulted in nearly daily exchanges of fire, with both sides increasingly focused on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Prospects for a diplomatic de-escalation diminished after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. CENTCOM confirmed late Friday that it had completed its seventh consecutive night of operations targeting Iran’s military capabilities.
Adding to the tensions early Saturday, the Iranian military claimed that two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran did not provide evidence to support the claim, and CENTCOM quickly rejected the allegation, calling it “false” in a statement posted on social media.
The conflict has continued to disrupt global trade, with commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz facing severe disruption after Iran effectively closed the passage following the launch of joint U.S. and Israeli military operations on Feb. 28.
The closure has unsettled global energy markets, pushing crude oil prices above $86 per barrel on Friday as maritime tracking data showed vessel traffic through the chokepoint had fallen to its lowest level in three weeks.
Despite the growing regional and economic instability, Washington has maintained a firm stance. Speaking Thursday night, President Trump defended the military campaign.
“We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labour very, very shortly,” Trump said.
The ongoing conflict has also complicated previous diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program, increasing domestic pressure on Trump to resolve the crisis and avoid a prolonged military engagement in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, American strikes also brought down a tower at Iran’s Chabahar Port on the Gulf of Oman, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
The destruction was later confirmed by the U.S. military.
Chabahar, a strategically important port developed with Indian assistance and a key trade gateway for Afghanistan, has been repeatedly targeted during the ongoing conflict.
The two sides continue to dispute the role of the facility. Iranian officials said the destroyed structure managed commercial shipping traffic, while CENTCOM said it was part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) maritime surveillance network used to monitor and direct operations against vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)
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