Bahrain and Jordan counter further Iranian aggression

Iran has added to its repeated attacks over the past few days against Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that Tehran must return to the negotiating table next week.

The General Command of Bahrain’s Defense Force announced that Iran continues its systematic hostile approach through its despicable attacks targeting civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In a statement published by the official news agency BNA, it affirmed that, with strong resolve and high combat readiness, the air defense systems of Bahrain’s Defense Force successfully intercepted and destroyed several treacherous Iranian aerial attacks yesterday.

It confirmed that all its weapons and units are at the highest levels of readiness and preparedness to defend the Kingdom. The General Command also urged everyone to exercise caution, avoid approaching any foreign or suspicious objects resulting from the remnants of Iran’s brutal attacks, and report them immediately. It emphasized that the Royal Field Engineering Unit is fully prepared to handle these objects safely and technically, ensuring the public safety of all citizens and residents.

It stressed that the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilians and private property constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

In a related development, Jordan announced the interception and downing of three missiles launched from Iranian territory that breached its airspace. A senior military source told the Jordanian News Agency (Petra), “Our air defenses thwarted an incursion into Jordanian airspace and intercepted and shot down three missiles coming from Iranian territory.”

He affirmed that Jordanian airspace is an inseparable part of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, and that the interception and downing operation was carried out within the framework of established operational and defensive measures to protect the country’s borders, airspace, and citizens’ security. He noted that the incident resulted in no casualties or material damage.

He emphasized that the Jordanian Armed Forces reject any violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty or any use of its airspace that threatens its security and stability. They continue to monitor Jordanian skies and track all developments with the highest levels of readiness and preparedness.

The senior military source concluded his statement by reiterating that the Jordanian Armed Forces will respond to any incursion or threat to Jordanian airspace in accordance with established rules of engagement, and will take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and national security, without leniency or delay.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed that he would expand military strikes against Iran next week and destroy all power plants and bridges if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table with the United States.

In an interview with U.S. Fox News channel, Trump stated that “the only way to negotiate with these people is through military force, and that’s what we did,” adding, “We are hitting everything they have along the coast, along the waterfront.”

He continued, “We are delivering several very harsh strikes to Iran, and these strikes will continue until I decide they are sufficient.”

The U.S. president noted that “the United States held talks with Iran on Tuesday, July 14.”

He warned that “next week will be very bad for Iran… We will destroy all their power plants. We will destroy all their bridges if they do not return to the negotiating table.”

He added, “We have informed the Iranians that they must reach an agreement, otherwise they will have nothing left.”

In the meantime, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced several rounds of military strikes against Iran yesterday.

In a series of statements on the X platform, it said its forces launched strikes aimed at “further undermining the military capabilities used by Iranian forces to attack commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

CENTCOM announced yesterday afternoon that it had completed a 90-minute attack using precision-guided munitions against coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island. According to CENTCOM, these strikes further weakened Iran’s ability to attack commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM stated that during 17 hours since the resumption of the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports, U.S. forces diverted two commercial ships that attempted to breach the blockade, and confirmed they remain on alert and ready to ensure full compliance.

Hours earlier, CENTCOM announced it had completed a round of strikes targeting dozens of military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas. It said U.S. fighter jets, drones, and naval ships launched precision-guided munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems, during a seven-hour offensive wave aimed at further undermining Iran’s ability to threaten commercial navigation and civilian ship crews.

These strikes followed CENTCOM’s announcement of the resumption of the naval blockade on ships heading to or coming from Iranian ports and coastal areas.

CENTCOM emphasized that “U.S. forces will remain on alert and in full combat readiness, prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

It added: “Currently, more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are deployed in the Middle East region, as U.S. forces continue to maintain their vigilance, readiness, and superior capability to deliver decisive strikes.”