Iranian Drones Target Iraq and Jordan Amid U.S. Diplomacy

Regional tensions escalated between July 27 and July 28, 2026, as Iranian drones targeted assets in Jordan and Iraq. Donald Trump paused planned U.S. military strikes on Iran to allow for diplomatic negotiations regarding a nuclear deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that military action would resume if talks fail. Despite this pause, Iranian drones targeted northern Iraq on July 28, causing explosions in Erbil near the U.S. Consulate and Erbil International Airport, as well as fires in the Khalifan and Soran areas. Attacks also hit the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah and destroyed a U.S. drone near the Haditha Dam in Al Anbar province, prompting the deployment of over ten U.S. warplanes over Erbil.

Concurrent drone activity occurred along the Jordan border. On Monday, July 27, the Royal Jordanian Air Force shot down two drones targeting Jordan, while the Israel Defense Forces intercepted two additional UAVs in the same area. The Israeli Air Force intercepted another UAV near the Dead Sea early Tuesday morning. Israeli officials report that none of these aircraft penetrated Israeli airspace.

These events follow previous Iranian claims of "crushing" attacks on U.S. assets in Kuwait and at the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan. While the U.S. seeks a diplomatic path, Iranian officials have expressed skepticism, suggesting the necessary ground for dialogue has been destroyed.