Iranian strike in Jordan killed 2 US troops at Azraq base
Why it matters: Four attacks in five days wounded dozens, hit helicopters and exposed Jordan’s growing role in US operations.
An Iranian attack on July 17 killed two US service members and injured four others at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, Jordan, according to US officials. It was the fourth strike in five days on US forces in Jordan, a stretch of attacks that also wounded dozens of personnel and damaged helicopters at other bases. Officials said Iran has expanded attacks on Jordan after shifting US troops there from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Jordan has become more important to Washington as some regional allies have limited US basing and overflight access. The US military said July 18 that it launched retaliatory strikes aimed at reducing Iran’s threat to shipping.