Escalating Tensions: Iran Strikes Jordan as US Retaliates Again
WHO:
ABC News - Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan for diplomatic talks.
Al Jazeera - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US is willing to pursue diplomacy with Iran.
Al Jazeera - US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reported to Congress on the costs of the war on Iran.
Al Jazeera - Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia challenged Hegseth's claims regarding Iran's military.
WHAT:
ABC News - Jordan’s military intercepted six Iranian missiles, while four Iranian drones were also intercepted in Jordanian airspace.
ABC News - No injuries have been reported following the missile and drone interceptions.
Al Jazeera - The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iran had attacked more than 30 commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months.
Al Jazeera - CENTCOM reported that US forces have facilitated the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil since early May.
ABC News - Jordan’s military intercepted four missiles from Iran, with two others landing in uninhabited areas.
ABC News - The US military completed its 11th consecutive night of air strikes against Iran.
Al Jazeera - The US targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure.
Al Jazeera - The cost of the war on Iran has reached $37.5 billion, with the Pentagon requesting an additional $90 billion in funding.
Al Jazeera - Trump stated he plans to attack a suspected Iranian nuclear site called Pickaxe Mountain "pretty soon, and very heavily."
WHERE:
The Jerusalem Post - Smoke was seen rising from the Aqaba area in Jordan after the missile launches.
ABC News - The missile alert occurred in Jordan’s port city of Aqaba.
ABC News - Explosions were reported in Tehran, Bushehr, East Azerbaijan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces in Iran.
Al Jazeera - Attacks were reported in northwestern Iran’s Tabriz and southern Iran.
WHEN:
ABC News - The missile alert and attacks occurred on a Wednesday.
Al Jazeera - The US air strikes have been ongoing for 11 consecutive nights.
WHY:
ABC News - The attacks are part of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Jazeera - Rubio emphasized the need to defend freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
HOW:
The Jerusalem Post - An Arkia flight from Ben-Gurion Airport to Ramon Airport was forced to delay its landing and circle in the air until authorities could verify that there was no debris on the runway.
ABC News - The US military conducted air strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
Al Jazeera - Iran's air defenses were activated in response to US strikes, and explosions were reported in various locations across Iran.
(UPDATED July 22, 2026 10:44 UTC)
Jordan's military successfully intercepted six Iranian missiles and four drones in its airspace, with no injuries reported from the incidents. Smoke was observed rising from the Aqaba area following the missile launches, prompting an Arkia flight from Ben-Gurion Airport to delay its landing until authorities confirmed the runway was clear of debris. Meanwhile, the US Central Command revealed that Iran has attacked over 30 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in the last three months, while US forces have facilitated the transit of around 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil since early May.
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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 09:44 UTC)
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni is currently in Pakistan for diplomatic talks, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed the country's willingness to pursue diplomacy with Iran. Meanwhile, the US military has completed its 11th consecutive night of air strikes against Iranian military targets, with the Pentagon reporting the war's costs have reached $37.5 billion and requesting an additional $90 billion in funding. In the midst of these tensions, Trump announced plans to attack a suspected Iranian nuclear site called Pickaxe Mountain "pretty soon, and very heavily."