Jordan's military said it intercepted Iranian drones and missiles that entered its airspace, as the region braced for a wider conflict. The interception occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with several countries closing their airspace.
The interception
Jordanian air defenses shot down or forced down multiple Iranian drones and missiles that crossed into the kingdom's territory. The military did not specify how many projectiles were intercepted or where they landed. It said the operation was carried out to protect Jordanian citizens and airspace.
No casualties or damage were reported inside Jordan. The military stressed that it would not allow any party to turn its airspace into a battlefield.
Regional tensions
The interception came as Iran launched a large-scale drone and missile attack against Israel. The attack was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus earlier this month. Several countries, including Jordan, closed their airspace as a precaution.
Jordan shares borders with both Israel and Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate. The kingdom has long walked a tightrope between its security alliance with the West and its large Palestinian population.
Jordan's position
Amman has repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region. The military's statement did not mention Israel or Iran by name, but the message was clear: Jordan would defend its territory regardless of the source of the threat.
This is not the first time Jordan has intercepted projectiles during regional flare-ups. During previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas, Jordanian air defenses have shot down stray rockets. But the scale of this interception — involving Iranian drones and missiles — marks a significant moment for the kingdom.
The incident underscores how the Iran-Israel shadow war is increasingly spilling into neighboring countries. For Jordan, the challenge is to maintain its sovereignty while avoiding being dragged into a direct confrontation.
