US military base in Jordan
U.S. military installations in Jordan serve as critical strategic hubs for regional security and counter-terror operations. In 2026, these facilities—including the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base—became primary targets for direct Iranian ballistic missile strikes as the kinetic confrontation between Washington and Tehran intensified.
U.S. military presence in Jordan is a cornerstone of the regional security architecture, providing the United States with a forward-deployed platform for intelligence, logistics, and air operations. While the Jordanian government officially maintains that foreign forces are present only within the framework of bilateral military cooperation, several installations are widely recognized as key American operational hubs. Chief among these is the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (also known as Al-Azraq), located in the eastern desert, which hosts U.S. fighter squadrons and transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III.
Throughout mid-2026, these bases transitioned from logistical support centers to the front lines of a direct confrontation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following the collapse of the 'Islamabad' memorandum, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began targeting these installations with ballistic missile barrages. In July 2026, the IRGC claimed a major strike involving 10 ballistic missiles aimed at the U.S. regional command-and-control center and Al-Azraq Air Base. While Tehran often claims direct hits on strategic assets, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Jordanian authorities have consistently reported high interception rates using Patriot air defense systems, often neutralizing the threat before impact.
For Israel, the security of U.S. bases in Jordan is of paramount importance. These installations act as a buffer against Iranian regional hegemony and provide a critical layer of defense against aerial threats originating from the east. The continued stability and operational capacity of these bases are essential for maintaining the 'peace through strength' doctrine currently pursued by the second Trump administration, ensuring that Iranian aggression is met with a robust, localized response.