Conflict & Security
Jordan and Israel report intercepting Iranian missiles near Aqaba
Israeli and Jordanian forces intercepted an Iranian missile aimed at the Jordanian city of Aqaba on Sunday, the Israeli military said, after Jordan denied reports that Aqaba's airport and seaport had been evacuated over a threat.
Asked about reports of explosions near the Israeli city of Eilat, an Israeli military spokeswoman said both Israeli and Jordanian forces had intercepted a projectile. Minutes earlier, the Israeli military said it had detected missiles launched from Iran towards Aqaba and warned of possible spillover into Israeli territory.
The Jordanian military said it had downed three Iranian missiles that targeted the kingdom's territory. It said a fourth missile fell in a deserted area, but did not say where. Air raid sirens sounded in Amman and other parts of Jordan.
In a later statement, the Israeli military said it launched several interceptors toward missile debris to prevent debris from hitting Israeli territory. It said interceptor fragments were found in an open area near Eilat and that no damage or injuries were reported.
The Jordanian government had earlier denied reports that authorities ordered the evacuation of Aqaba's airport and seaport. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said authorities had made no decision to evacuate either site and that both were operating normally.
The US embassy had said the airport and seaport were evacuated over what it called a credible threat. The embassy statement followed a US military announcement that two service members were killed in Jordan and one was missing after Iranian strikes on Friday. The report said these were the first fatalities among US forces since fighting with Iran resumed this month.
Jordan has said several times in recent days that it has countered Iranian attacks.
Update
The Jordanian military said it downed three Iranian missiles targeting Jordanian territory and that a fourth fell in a deserted area.
The Israeli military said it launched interceptors toward missile debris to prevent debris from hitting Israeli territory.
The Israeli military said interceptor fragments were found in an open area near Eilat, with no damage or injuries reported.
The US embassy said Aqaba airport and seaport had been evacuated over a credible threat, while Jordan's government denied ordering any evacuation and said both facilities were operating normally.
The US military said two service members were killed in Jordan and one was missing after Iranian strikes on Friday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 15:16:12 UTC.
Update
The Jordanian military said it downed three Iranian missiles that targeted the kingdom's territory, while a fourth fell in a deserted area.
Air raid sirens were activated in Amman and other parts of Jordan.
Jordan's government denied that Aqaba airport and seaport had been evacuated after the US embassy said they had been evacuated over a credible threat.
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said no evacuation orders had been issued and both facilities were operating normally.
The US embassy statement followed a US military announcement that two service members were killed in Jordan and one went missing after Iranian strikes on Friday.
Jordan has repeatedly said it has countered Iranian attacks in recent days.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 13:00:18 UTC.
Update
The Israeli military said the missile toward Aqaba was intercepted by Israeli and Jordanian forces.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 12:25:35 UTC.
Update
The Israeli military said it identified missiles launched from Iran toward Aqaba in Jordan.
The Israeli military said Aqaba is adjacent to Israeli territory and that spillover into Israel was possible.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 12:20:19 UTC.
Update
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said no potential threats had been detected.
The US embassy in Amman said the airport and seaport had been evacuated because of a specific and credible threat and advised Americans not to travel to either site.
Momani said Jordanian authorities issue warnings under prepared procedures, including sirens, and had not monitored any possible threats in recent hours.
The source adds context that the US military announced two service members were killed in Jordan and one went missing after Iranian strikes on Friday, and that Jordan has said it countered Iranian attacks in recent days.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 11:36:38 UTC.
Update
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani was named as the official who denied any evacuation decision.
Al-Momani said Aqaba Airport and the seaport were operating normally.
Al-Momani said no potential threats had been detected.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 11:02:02 UTC.
Update
Jordanian authorities denied that Aqaba airport and seaport had been evacuated.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 10:44:29 UTC.
Update
The US embassy described the threat as specific and credible.
The embassy advised Americans not to travel to Aqaba's international airport or seaport.
Jordanian authorities did not immediately confirm that they had carried out the evacuations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 July 2026 at 10:24:18 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The Jordanian military did not specify where the fourth missile fell.
The source reports different statements about Aqaba airport and seaport: the US embassy said they had been evacuated, while Jordan's government denied ordering any evacuation.
Source
AFP news report published on .