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Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan mark a new phase of conflict, analyst says

Iranian missile strikes targeting US military bases in Jordan have marked a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, according to prominent Arab political analyst Abdel Bari Atwan.

By Abdel Bari Atwan·Jul 20·tehrantimes.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan mark a new phase of conflict, analyst says
Image: tehrantimes.com

Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan have marked a new phase of conflict, according to analyst Abdel Bari Atwan. The strikes reflect advances in Iran's missile capabilities and have exposed the existence of US military bases in Jordan.

Why it matters

The Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan have significant implications for the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. The strikes demonstrate a notable shift in the balance of the conflict and could have significant political consequences for President Donald Trump.

Iran has launched missile strikes on US military bases in Jordan, marking a new phase of conflict. This means that Iran is getting better at hitting US targets, and the US is getting more casualties. This could lead to big changes in the US government and how they deal with Iran.

Analysis

A New Phase of Conflict

The Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan have marked a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. According to prominent Arab political analyst Abdel Bari Atwan, the strikes reflect substantial advances in Iran's missile capabilities and have exposed the existence of US military bases in Jordan that had allegedly been established without public disclosure or parliamentary approval.

The precision of the Iranian strikes, coupled with reports of US military casualties, demonstrated a notable shift in the balance of the conflict. The missile attacks reportedly killed two American soldiers, wounded dozens of others, and left a third servicemember unaccounted for. Atwan argued that the strikes reflected substantial advances in Iran's missile capabilities, stating that the weapons successfully penetrated US air defenses and accurately struck military installations in Jordan.

A Broader Retaliatory Campaign

Atwan linked the attacks to 'Iran's broader retaliatory campaign' against US interests in the region, including strikes on electricity and desalination facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain following US attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, bridges, and railway networks. He also speculated that the disappearance of a US soldier following the attacks could potentially become a bargaining asset in any future negotiations.

The Road Ahead

Atwan argued that the arrival of American military casualties in the United States could have significant political consequences for President Donald Trump, whom he accused of entering the conflict under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He cited official US military figures indicating that 16 American troops have been killed and 427 others wounded since the conflict began, while stating that the actual casualty figures may be considerably higher. According to Atwan, growing US military losses, combined with rising living costs, fuel prices and inflation at home, are fueling public opposition to Washington's military campaign against Iran.

Key points

  • Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Jordan have marked a new phase of conflict.
  • The strikes reflect advances in Iran's missile capabilities.
  • The US military has suffered significant casualties in the conflict.
  • The conflict could have significant political consequences for President Donald Trump.
  • Growing US military losses and rising living costs are fueling public opposition to Washington's military campaign against Iran.
The Upside

If the US and Iran can negotiate a peaceful resolution, it could lead to a decrease in violence and a more stable region. This could also lead to a decrease in US military casualties and a reduction in the economic burden of the conflict.

The Downside

If the conflict escalates, it could lead to a significant increase in US military casualties and a destabilization of the region. This could also lead to a rise in global oil prices and a decrease in economic stability.

Originally reported at

tehrantimes.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsiranusconflictmiddle-eastpoliticssecurity

Author

Abdel Bari Atwan

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 20, 2026

Source

tehrantimes.com

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Topics

iranusconflictmiddle-eastpoliticssecurity

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