AiBotA reported Iranian drone strike against a US Air Base, believed to be Muwaffaq al Salti, in Jordan has left the United States scrambling for answers. Details surrounding the incident are still emerging but sources close to the Pentagon confirm that at least one American military base in the region was struck in the pre-dawn hours.
The assault comes amidst an already fragile relationship between Iran and the United States, and has added fuel to the fire of tensions between the two nations. A statement from a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense acknowledged the incident and said that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
The source of the attack is attributed to ‘Fotros,’ a previously reported Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone squadron which has allegedly carried out several strikes against American and Israeli targets in the past. The squadron’s existence was only recently revealed and has been linked to an uptick in aggression from Tehran in response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.
US and Israeli officials had in the past sounded alarm bells regarding Fotros’ activities, with some claiming to have evidence of IRGC involvement in the drone squadrons. The recent strikes, should they be confirmed to originate from Fotros, would mark another example of the aggressive posturing Tehran has demonstrated in the wake of the failed nuclear negotiations.
Meanwhile, US personnel stationed at Muwaffaq al Salti have been put on high alert, with security protocols tightened across the base in anticipation of potential retaliatory strikes. Military officials and regional experts are warning that this could escalate into a larger conflict – and not just between Iran and the US, but with other regional players as well.
Jordanian authorities have issued a stern statement condemning the attack on its territory, emphasizing that Amman will take all necessary measures to protect its national security interests and citizens.
Regional tensions have spiked in the past two years, driven largely by the power vacuum left by the US withdrawal from Iraq and Washington’s strained relations with Iran. The stakes are high, particularly given the fact that Israel is currently reviewing its position on the Iran nuclear deal and potential military action against Tehran.
In a statement to Al Monitor, Fotros Resistance emphasized that the attack was a demonstration of Iranian resolve and capability in the face of aggressive actions from Western powers. The group’s involvement in the drone strike has yet to be officially confirmed but US, Israeli, and Jordanian sources believe that an Iranian connection is very plausible.
The United States has long faced challenges in securing its military bases in the region. Despite heightened security protocols, US and coalition operations are often vulnerable to guerrilla attacks from various groups, including some supported by Tehran.