Cairo, July 20: Iran has launched new attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, escalating tensions across the Middle East. The renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have prompted calls for de-escalation from all three nations.
Jordan’s official broadcaster, Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, reported on social media platform X that the country’s air defense intercepted three missiles launched from Iran. A fourth missile fell in a remote area of southern Jordan, but fortunately, there were no casualties or damage.
According to media reports cited by the Xinhua news agency, the missiles targeted U.S. military aircraft stationed in the coastal city of Aqaba, which is adjacent to the Israeli city of Eilat.
Following the missile launch towards Jordan, Israeli Channel 13 News reported that the U.S. military moved refueling aircraft from Ramon Airport in southern Israel, located about 18 kilometers north of Eilat.
Israeli state broadcaster Kan TV noted that commercial passenger flights were delayed at the airport due to the incident.
Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Amman issued a security alert, stating that Aqaba’s airport and seaport were evacuated due to threats, advising Americans to stay away until further notice. However, Jordanian officials dismissed the embassy’s claims, asserting that both facilities were operating normally.
On the same day, Kuwait’s armed forces announced that their air defense intercepted enemy ballistic missiles and drones over the country. One attack targeted a power generation and water desalination facility, causing significant damage and a fire.
In a statement posted on X, the Kuwaiti military reported that missiles and drones had been detected and engaged since morning, although they did not specify the number of projectiles involved.
The military accused Iran of continuously targeting civilian and critical infrastructure, stating that attacks occurred on sites managed by the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy.
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy warned of the severe consequences of ongoing regional tensions and urged efforts to avoid a new cycle of violence. He called for immediate action from both the U.S. and Iran to reduce tensions, emphasizing that escalation would harm all parties involved.
Fahmy cautioned that the situation could spiral out of control, leading to mutual destruction and worsening economic conditions both regionally and globally.
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, held separate phone conversations with his Turkish and Kuwaiti counterparts regarding the escalating tensions and efforts to restore stability.
According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, during his discussion with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Safadi stressed the need to return to negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions, implementing a U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, and addressing the root causes of the conflict.
In his call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Safadi expressed Jordan’s solidarity with Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the face of Iranian attacks.
Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis, restore peace, and achieve lasting security and stability.
These recent developments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with the U.S. and Iran engaging in a series of retaliatory strikes. The U.S. has conducted eight attacks on Iranian positions, while Iran has responded by targeting U.S. facilities and locations in several regional countries.
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