Washington advises its nationals to avoid travel to Aqaba airport and port

The U.S. Embassy in Amman on Sunday (July 19) advised its nationals to avoid traveling to King Hussein International Airport and the Aqaba seaport, saying authorities had evacuated them because of a "threat," which the official "Kingdom" TV denied.

"Due to the presence of a specific and credible threat, Jordanian authorities have evacuated Aqaba International Airport and the port of Aqaba," the embassy said in a security alert, adding: "We strongly advise all Americans to avoid travel to the airport or port," both in the south of the kingdom.

On the other hand, "Al-Mamlaka TV" quoted unnamed sources as saying that the news about the evacuation or closure of King Hussein International Airport and the seaport in Aqaba governorate is incorrect, adding that the airport and port are operating normally and without stopping.

Iranian Attacks Kill Two US Soldiers in Jordan

Observers link this conflict to the escalating military tensions in the region, especially the mutual attacks between Washington and Tehran, which repeatedly target the Azraq base in Jordanian territory, which  resulted in the   death of two American soldiers and the loss of a third in Jordan yesterday, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), while responding to Iranian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones.

Jordan, along with Arab countries, has repeatedly been subjected to attacks that Tehran said targeted U.S. military installations in response to daily attacks by Washington on Iran.

The confrontation between Washington and Tehran has entered its second week, as US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 the end of the ceasefire stipulated in the memorandum of understanding signed on June 18.

Trump's announcement came after Iran targeted three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran insists on imposing a mechanism to regulate the passage of ships through the strategic corridor, while Washington demands what it says is a guarantee of freedom of navigation and security in the strait.

The escalation has disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and threatened air traffic and energy supplies, amid intermittent airspace closures and warnings against targeting US facilities and interests outside the Middle East.