Iran's IRGC claims destruction of 3 US F-35s in Jordan airstrike
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on July 30 it carried out a missile strike on the US Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, destroying three F-35 fighter jets and damaging three others. The attack, which also killed some US soldiers and technical staff, was retaliation for a US strike on Qeshm Island that killed three Iranian civilians. Jordan's military earlier said it intercepted five Iranian missiles before they reached the base.
Iran's Claims
The IRGC statement described the strike as a direct retaliation for a US attack on Qeshm Island that killed three civilians. The Guards claimed three F-35 jets were completely destroyed and three others damaged at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts US and allied aircraft. The statement added that a number of American soldiers and technical personnel were killed, though no exact figure was provided.
Jordan's Interception
The Jordanian army announced earlier on July 30 that its air defense systems had intercepted five Iranian missiles targeting the country's territory. No damage or casualties on the ground were reported by Jordanian authorities. The apparent discrepancy between Iran's claimed success and Jordan's interception report remains unresolved.
Concurrent Drone Incident
Separately, Iranian state media reported that a US drone was detected and shot down over Khuzestan province near the port city of Bandar Imam Khomeini on the same day. The IRGC did not explicitly link the drone incident to the Jordan strike, and US forces have not acknowledged any drone loss.
What's Next
The Pentagon has not commented on Iran's assertions. The alleged attack, if confirmed, could escalate regional instability, though the full extent of the damage and any potential US response remain unclear.
2 sources
Iran's IRGC claims destruction of 3 US F-35s in Jordan airstrike
