Air raid sirens sounded in parts of Jordan early Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as Iranian missiles targeted the kingdom. The Jordanian army stated, "The air defense system intercepted and downed tonight three missiles coming from Iranian territory that entered Jordanian airspace and targeted the kingdom's territory." No injuries were reported.

These attacks follow a recent Iranian missile strike on a US base in Jordan that killed two US service members and injured around 30 others. Jordan is one of eight Arab countries hosting permanent US military facilities, making it a potential target in the widening US-Iran conflict.

Despite Iran's missile launches toward Jordan, there has been a lull in direct attacks recently. Jordan has also intercepted Iranian missiles launched toward Israel, claiming it is defending its own airspace.

Jordan's position is precarious due to its military and economic dependence on the US, limiting the options of King Abdullah II. The kingdom has sought to remain neutral, but its alliances affect its fragile security and cause public discontent.

The regional context includes around 2.4 million Palestinian refugees living in Jordan, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Additionally, over 1,000 Palestinian children were displaced by settler violence in the West Bank in the first half of 2026, per Save the Children.

Erwin van Veen noted, "As the current Israeli coalition wrote in its own coalition agreement at the start of its tenure in 2022, it ultimately intends to annex the West Bank." The United Nations Security Council has stated that "Israel's establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity."

In November 2023, Jordan and Israel recalled their ambassadors after Jordan condemned Israel's conduct during the early days of the Gaza war following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Iran has reserved the right to retaliate against any state hosting US military assets, explicitly including Jordan, which has increased the kingdom's vulnerability amid escalating regional tensions.

Sources