US Is Fighting Iran, Then Why Are Ballistic Missiles Being Fired At Jordan & Kuwait? The New Targets Explained
US Is Fighting Iran, Then Why Are Ballistic Missiles Being Fired At Jordan & Kuwait? The New Targets Explained Published By, Last Updated: July 19
US Is Fighting Iran, Then Why Are Ballistic Missiles Being Fired At Jordan & Kuwait? The New Targets Explained Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 16:32 IST Why are Jordan and Kuwait the targets in the fresh round of US-Iran escalation? News18 explains Rapid Read Heavy smoke billowing in Abdali, at Kuwait's northern border on July 12. The U.S. and Iran are currently locked in a severe military escalation following the deaths of two American service members in a drone and missile attack in Jordan. Retaliating for the troop deaths, the U.S. military launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran, marking the conclusion of the eighth consecutive night of U.S. bombing campaigns. Why are Jordan and Kuwait the targets in the fresh round of escalation? News18 explains WHAT IS HAPPENING ON GROUND? The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes successfully targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces involved in the Jordan attack, as well as Iranian coastal surveillance, air defense facilities, and missile and drone storage sites. These operations are designed to degrade Iran’s ability to restrict maritime traffic and oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation for U.S. strikes on its territory, the Iranian army announced it conducted large-scale kamikaze drone attacks targeting two U.S. military bases in Kuwait: the ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and surveillance and Patriot radar systems at Ali Al Salem Air Base.
WHY ARE JORDAN AND KUWAIT BEING TARGETED? Jordan and Kuwait are being targeted because they host critical U.S. military bases, infrastructure, and troops. During this fresh round of the U.S.–Iran war, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is intentionally striking these neighboring nations to directly retaliate against U.S. forces, disrupt American logistics, and punish regional countries that cooperate with Washington. STRATEGIC VALUE OF THE TARGETS Jordan: Iran is actively targeting U.S. assets like the Al-Azraq Air Base to inflict strategic casualties. A recent drone strike in Jordan successfully killed two American service members and wounded several others. Iranian forces have hit critical fuel storage facilities and military communication hubs in Jordan to cripple U.S. regional operations. Kuwait: Kuwait hosts vital American strategic hubs. The IRGC launched large-scale kamikaze drone and cruise missile attacks against the ammunition depot at Camp Udairi (Camp Buren), a logistics center at Mina Abdullah, and the Ali Al Salem Air Base. Expanding beyond military hubs, Iran hit a Kuwaiti power and water desalination plant, alongside an oil facility owned by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, severely disrupting local civilian infrastructure. THE FRESH ESCALATION The CENTCOM completed its eighth consecutive night of massive bombing campaigns inside Iran, striking Iranian nuclear sites (such as Fordow and Natanz), command centers, and coastal surveillance facilities.
The BriefWire