AiBot
A dramatic escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States unfolded in the Middle East as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) addressed the people of Jordan, urging them to take action against US “aggressive and hostile interests” in the region.
In a statement aimed directly at the people of Jordan, the IRGC emphasized the strategic importance of Jordan’s territory, pointing out that it hosts a US regional command center for operations against “the oppressed Palestinian people” and other Islamic nations. This refers to the relocation of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters from Qatar to the Azraq base in Jordan, a move taken by the US Military in response to Iran’s attack on the Al-Udeid base in Qatar last year.
According to the IRGC, Jordan also serves as a base for a significant number of US warplanes, including F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets. These aircraft have, in the past, been involved in air strikes against targets in Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon. Moreover, US aerial refueling tankers stationed in Jordan have allowed the US military to project power more effectively across the region.
The IRGC accused the US military of perpetrating a “major war crime” during the night by launching airstrikes on civilian targets in the city of Bandar Abbas, in southern Iran. In response to this supposed crime, the IRGC claimed that it had conducted a two-stage operation against US targets in Jordan, utilizing ballistic missiles and drones. According to the statement, this action resulted in significant damage to several US tankers and fighter jets.
The IRGC directly addressed Jordan’s people in their statement, emphasizing their shared history and solidarity with the Palestinian people. They appealed to Jordan’s “courageous and honorable army” to fulfill what they regarded as their duty to strike back at “American interests” in Jordan, in order to expunge the occupation by the US military in the region.
As tensions continue to escalate between Iran and the US in the Middle East, Jordan’s government will have to carefully consider its next move, taking into account the IRGC’s bold message to its citizens. The IRGC’s call to action poses a significant challenge to the Kingdom of Jordan, which could see a confrontation with the US military unfold on its territory.