Jordan Said Won’t Allow Attack On Iran, But U.S. Electronic Attack Jets And Combat Drones Are There

Jordan promised not to allow any attack against Iran from its territory, but recent satellite images show massive United States military deployment at a key air base in the kingdom.

The deployment at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in central-eastern Jordan is a part of a wider U.S. military buildup in the Middle East that began last month after repeated threats by President Donlad Trump to Iran over a deadly wave of protests and alleged plans to execute prisoners.

More than 3,000 U.S. troops are typically deployed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which the U.S. military has been working to develop for the last few years.

Satellite images from China’s MizarVision that surfaced online on February 4 confirmed that four EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets of the U.S. Navy were recently deployed at the air base. The images also show at least two American MQ-9 Reaper combat drones there, although it is unclear if they were deployed before or after the escalation with Iran.

Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)

Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)

At least 17 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets of the U.S. Air Force were spotted at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in satellite images released by the same service last month. It is believed that the real number of F-15Es deployed there is in fact over 30, and could be as high as 37.

Similarly, at least nine American A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support jets are confirmed to be deployed at the air base currently.

All in all, the number of U.S. warplanes deployed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base right now could be around 50. That’s between two to three squadrons.

Click to see full-size image. (MizarVision)

Despite this massive military buildup, the Jordanian Foreign Minister recently assured his Iranian counterpart that the kingdom will not allow its territory or airspace to be used to launch attacks on the Islamic Republic.

“Jordan will not be a battleground in any regional conflict or a launching pad for any military action against Iran,” Ayman Safadi told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a phone call on February 2, according to a Jordanian foreign ministry statement.

Safadi added that Amman “will not permit any party to violate its airspace or threaten its security and the safety of its citizens.”

During the 12-day war last June and in previous confrontations between Israel and Iran, U.S. warplanes and air defenses deployed in Jordan intercepted drones and missiles launched by the Islamic Republic over the kingdom. However, despite Jordan’s reassurances, the current deployment appears to be offensive in nature.

EA-18G jets are usually employed in suppression of enemy air defenses operations, and the number of F-15E jets currently in Jordan is fairly large.

U.S. and Iranian officials are set to meet in Oman on February 6 for talks. However, the two sides are too far apart already. All recent reports indicate that Washington wants to discuss the Islamic Republic’s missile program and regional activities, in addition to the nuclear issue. Meanwhile, Tehran seems only open for nuclear talks. As it stands, an agreement is way less likely than war.

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