In a significant escalation of tensions, nearly ten US fighter jets stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan were reported damaged due to a missile attack launched by Iran. According to CBS News, the incident occurred in the early hours of September 9, resulting in damage to at least eight F-15E multi-role fighters and one A-10 ground attack aircraft.

The A-10 sustained the most severe damage, with reports indicating that its wing was detached. The F-15Es experienced lighter damage and are expected to return to operational status quickly. Fortunately, no American personnel were reported killed in the attack.

In response to the missile barrage from Iran, US forces in Jordan fired more than 30 Patriot missiles. Videos circulating on social media showed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters being transported by truck, seemingly in the process of evacuation from the airbase, with at least one helicopter reported damaged, although the timing of the footage remains unclear.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile strike, stating it targeted US military infrastructure at the Muwaffaq Salti base as retaliation for an earlier attack on five oil tankers. The IRGC's announcement highlighted that a significant number of ballistic missiles, including both solid and liquid-fueled types, struck areas used for the maintenance and preparation of F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets, causing substantial damage.

The Jordanian military reported successfully intercepting 18 out of 20 incoming ballistic missiles aimed at its territory, with the remaining two landing in unpopulated areas. Footage shared by Jordanian citizens depicted Patriot missile batteries launching interceptors to defend the airbase, although at least four Iranian missiles managed to breach the defense network and hit the airport.

Defense Express, a military news outlet, estimated that around 60 Patriot missiles were fired, while other military sources suggested the number could be close to 100. AMK Mapping, an account specializing in open-source intelligence on military conflicts, noted that Iran launched approximately 30-40 ballistic missiles targeting US military facilities in Aqaba and the Muwaffaq Salti airbase.

Experts have expressed concern over the scale of the attack, with some noting that the volume of Patriot missiles used in this incident is unprecedented, considering it exhausted the US military's supply built over more than two months. According to a 2026 report by the Congressional Research Service, around 4,000 US troops are stationed in Jordan, with some deployed at the Muwaffaq Salti airbase.

Since March, Iran has claimed to have attacked this base more than ten times. The Muwaffaq Salti airbase is notable for housing advanced fighter jets like the F-35, F-22, and F-16, making it a prime target for Iranian strikes.

Satellite images captured in February showed over 60 US fighter jets stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti airbase, significantly exceeding the usual troop levels. This airbase has previously been targeted by Iranian missiles during ongoing regional conflicts.