Iran launched missiles toward the Jordanian port city of Aqaba on Tuesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The IDF immediately warned that the attack could spill over into Israeli territory, putting the country's southern border region on high alert.
Missile Trajectory and Target
The missiles were fired in the direction of Aqaba, a strategic Red Sea port that sits just a few kilometers from Israel's southernmost city, Eilat. Jordanian authorities have not yet confirmed any impacts or casualties. The IDF said it is tracking the projectiles and assessing the threat to Israeli civilians and infrastructure.
IDF Response and Preparedness
In a statement, the IDF said it is monitoring the situation closely and has activated its air defense systems. The military warned residents in southern Israel to stay near protected spaces and follow instructions from Home Front Command. No sirens have been reported so far, but the IDF stressed that the threat is not over.
Israel has long viewed Iran's missile program as a direct security challenge. The launch toward Aqaba, a city in a country that signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, marks an escalation in the region. Jordan has not commented on the incident.
Regional Tensions
The attack comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. Iran has previously used proxies to target Israel, but direct missile fire from Iranian territory is rare. The IDF's warning suggests that the military believes the missiles could overshoot or be aimed at Israeli targets near the border.
Eilat, a popular tourist destination, has been targeted in the past by missiles and drones from Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. Tuesday's launch appears to be a separate incident involving Iranian forces directly.
The IDF said it will provide updates as the situation develops. For now, the military is urging calm while remaining on high alert. The exact number of missiles fired and their final destination remain unclear.
