Multiple American military aircraft were damaged during Iranian strikes overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to sources with direct knowledge of the incident who spoke to CBS News. An A-10 Thunderbolt, an attack aircraft known as the Warthog, was reportedly struck and lost a wing. Approximately eight F-15s incurred minor damage and were returned to service, according to individuals familiar with the situation who preferred to remain anonymous due to their lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.
No U.S. casualties have been reported in the strikes on Jordan. The strikes followed a U.S. announcement on Tuesday stating it had attacked five Iranian tankers as retaliation for an Iranian targeting of a U.S. Navy warship. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for launching attacks on eight tankers and two warships, including the base in Jordan.
U.S. forces in Jordan reportedly launched over 30 Patriot missiles in defense against the Iranian strikes. CBS News has previously reported concerns among U.S. officials regarding the declining stockpile of Patriot missiles and other precision munitions.
President Trump commented on Wednesday, suggesting that Iran’s actions are an attempt to influence the midterm elections. He speculated that the conflict might conclude immediately after the elections. “I think the war will end immediately after the election, because they can’t hold out any longer,” the president told reporters before heading to Texas. “They’re desperate to try and affect the election so we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon.” He further added that a nuclear weapon in Iran’s possession would be a global threat.
Despite these assertions, President Trump stated his lack of intention to negotiate with Iran before the midterms. “We’re not looking for it, to be honest,” he remarked. “Originally I wanted to make a deal. We’re so far down the line, they have very little country left right now, so we’re not looking for it. Yes, a negotiation could possibly happen but it’s not something we’re looking at.”
Mark Osborne contributed to this report.