US Expends Dozens of Interceptors as Iran Pressure Intensifies Across Region
The developments underscore the widening dimensions of the confrontation involving Iran, the United States, Israel and regional actors, with military operations and economic measures unfolding simultaneously across the region.
The United States has deployed dozens of air-defence interceptors to counter an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Jordan, as Washington intensifies both military and economic pressure on Tehran amid continuing regional tensions.
According to The Wall Street Journal, US forces fired between 60 and 70 Patriot interceptors against an Iranian barrage of around 20 ballistic missiles targeting Jordan. More than a dozen Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors were also launched, US and regional officials told the newspaper.
The scale of the response has highlighted growing pressure on the US air-defence arsenal as American forces continue to defend regional partners against Iranian missile attacks.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes struck the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri with two missiles on Tuesday night, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. Israeli warplanes and drones were also conducting low-altitude flights over the city of Tyre and surrounding villages, according to the Lebanese state news agency.
Israeli forces additionally shelled Mais al-Jabal, the report said.
Alongside the military developments, Washington is also maintaining economic pressure on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States was waging what he described as the “greatest economic isolation campaign” against Iran and its enablers.
Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee during its annual hearing on the state of the international financial system, Bessent said the strength of the US economy had enabled Washington to pursue unprecedented economic pressure against the Islamic Republic.
He also said President Donald Trump had taken action against Iran that previous US administrations had deferred.
The developments underscore the widening dimensions of the confrontation involving Iran, the United States, Israel and regional actors, with military operations and economic measures unfolding simultaneously across the region.
