A US official told Reuters that all American forces in the Middle East are on high alert following Iran's unusual attack overnight and are awaiting presidential orders.
A US official told Reuters Wednesday morning that all American forces in the Middle East have been placed on high alert following Iran's overnight missile strike, and are awaiting orders from President Trump. The alert marks a major escalation in the direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran, coming hours after Iran targeted US military bases in Jordan with ballistic missiles.
The overnight attack unfolded rapidly. At 00:33 Jerusalem, The Zioneer's Intelligence Desk reported that Iran had launched 20 ballistic missiles toward Jordan. Jordanian air defenses intercepted 18 of them, with two landing in open areas and no casualties reported, according to the Jordanian military. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the attack, describing it as retaliation for the US destruction of five Iranian oil tankers. Iran later confirmed it had targeted the Muwaffaq Salti and Prince Hassan military bases. Independent estimates reviewed by The Zioneer suggested the actual number of missiles fired may have been higher, between the high thirties and low forties.
The heightened readiness is the latest in a series of US military alerts in recent months. As The Zioneer reported on June 7, President Trump had previously placed US forces on alert and called on Iran to return to negotiations after an earlier missile barrage. On July 8, The Zioneer reported that Israel was informed of US plans for powerful strikes on Iran. The current confrontation now involves direct kinetic engagement between the two nations, a departure from the previous proxy-based strategy.
What remains open: The unnamed US official did not specify what presidential orders are being awaited, and it is unclear whether the alert is a defensive posture or preparation for retaliatory strikes. The Pentagon has not issued an official statement on the attack or the alert. The extent of damage to US facilities in Jordan, if any, has not been disclosed by American sources, although Jordan reported no casualties.
10 developments
Source and signal
- Open-source intake