US suffered major aircraft losses after Iran strike on Jordan base: Report

Multiple US military aircraft were damaged after Iran launched a ballistic missile strike on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, with one American A-10 Thunderbolt reportedly left with a missing wing, CBS News reported, citing sources.The overnight Iranian attack targeted the US military presence at the base near Al Azraq as Tehran and Washington resumed exchanging fire following weeks of relative calm. According to CBS News, roughly eight US F-15 fighter jets also sustained light damage but were subsequently returned to service.American forces deployed more than 30 Patriot missiles in an effort to defend against the Iranian attack, according to the report.Video footage circulating online showed repeated explosions over what was identified as the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The night-time footage showed a darkened landscape suddenly illuminated by bright flashes, with multiple explosions visible around what appeared to be a military or airport facility.ALSO READ: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched attacks against eight tankers and two warships, including the US base in Jordan. Iranian state media also released footage it said showed missiles being launched towards Jordan.Jordan said its air defences intercepted 18 of the 20 Iranian missiles fired towards the country. The remaining two missiles fell in unpopulated areas, according to Jordanian authorities, who said there were no casualties.The attack followed a US military operation against five Iranian oil tankers. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces targeted four crude oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and a fifth vessel near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. The strikes came after repeated Iranian missile attacks against a US Navy warship.Centcom said the American warship evaded the incoming attacks, continued its patrol mission and suffered no casualties. Crews aboard the targeted tankers were instructed to evacuate before the US strikes.US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington's responsibility for the tanker attacks and warned that further strikes were coming.“We've knocked out nine of their ships; I would say that the attacks are caused by us — and you're going to see a lot more. We've taken our about nine of their tankers. Many of them are gone-zo,” Trump told reporters.The latest escalation has also raised concerns over energy supplies and shipping routes in the region. Brent crude prices climbed after the Iranian attack, although they remained below $100 a barrel.The strike came as Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen also launched attacks on several Saudi cities, further widening the conflict involving key US allies in the Middle East.ALSO READ: has previously targeted US interests and allies in the region, including Jordan. An Iranian strike on Jordan in July killed two US military personnel.Trump, meanwhile, said he expected the war with Iran to end “immediately” after the upcoming US midterm elections, accusing Tehran of attempting to influence American voters.“I think the war will end immediately after the election...They're desperate to try and affect the election so that we could get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon,” Trump said.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.