U.S. Embassy Cites Aqaba Evacuation Threat, Jordan Says Facilities Operate Normally

JORDAN — On Sunday the U.S. Embassy Amman cited a specific and credible threat that prompted Jordanian authorities to evacuate the international airport and seaport in Aqaba, and strongly advised all Americans to refrain from travel to either facility.

It continues to advise Americans to avoid travel to military bases in Jordan. The same day Jordan’s Minister of Government Communication and official government spokesperson Mohammad Al Momani announced that relevant authorities issued no evacuation decisions for Aqaba Airport or the seaport, that both facilities operate normally, and that no potential threats registered with competent Jordanian authorities in recent hours.

The U.S. Embassy Amman security alert of July 19 referenced the March 2 ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Jordan due to safety risks.

The Department of State travel advisory for Jordan remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. That advisory notes the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran and the ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks with significant disruptions to commercial flights.

On July 17, CENTCOM reported two U.S. service members killed in action in Jordan and one missing while U.S. and partner forces responded to Iranian ballistic-missile and drone attacks.

Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged. Other personnel evaluated for minor injuries returned to duty.

Embassy guidance has repeatedly advised avoidance of military bases amid such incidents.

Aqaba Facilities Status and Conflicting Accounts

The U.S. Embassy Amman stated that Jordanian authorities evacuated Aqaba’s international airport and seaport. It directed Americans to follow all Jordanian authorities’ security directives, monitor local media, contact airlines for flight changes, avoid demonstrations and areas of heavy police presence, exercise caution at locations associated with the United States, and keep a low profile.

The alert also directed enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and provided embassy contact details.

Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Al Momani presented the opposite operational picture. He said the relevant authorities “did not issue any decisions for any evacuation at Aqaba Airport or the seaport.”

He added that “the airport and the port are operating normally and any potential risks are warned about by the competent Jordanian authorities, and according to the procedures prepared in advance which include the immediate sounding of sirens.”

He further said that “no potential threats have been registered with the competent Jordanian authorities during the past hours.”

Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management Director-General Mahmoud Khleifat said that no handling operations stopped at the seaport and that work proceeds normally with no evacuation or halt.

Jordanian media outlets quoted sources indicating that King Hussein International Airport operations continue as usual with no evacuation or closure.

No independent confirmation of physical evacuation, closure, or specific threat details beyond the two governments’ statements has appeared from Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission channels or other primary official releases as of Sunday afternoon local time.

The July 19 U.S. Embassy alert is posted on the embassy website and was also issued via the official U.S. Embassy Amman account.

Recent Iranian Missile Activity and Jordanian Interceptions

Jordan’s Armed Forces announced on July 18 that air defense systems intercepted and shot down 10 Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom, with no casualties or material damage reported.

Royal Engineering Corps teams deployed to sites where missile debris fell to secure the areas and handle remnants according to technical and security procedures.

The armed forces said they remained on high alert and continued to monitor airspace and regional developments while maintaining full operational readiness.

On July 17, the Jordanian Armed Forces announced interception of three Iranian missiles that entered the country’s airspace.

The July 17 and July 18 intercepts occurred in the same period as the CENTCOM-reported deaths of two U.S. service members and the missing status of a third during Iranian ballistic-missile and drone attacks on July 17.

CENTCOM stated that the July 17 casualties occurred “as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.”

The Command withheld additional information, including identities of the fallen service members, until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.

Commercial flight operations at Queen Alia International Airport and other facilities have continued under varying regional conditions, with Jordanian officials repeatedly affirming open airspace and normal operations in prior statements. Aqaba remains Jordan’s sole seaport and a key logistics and tourism node.

Official Statements

• U.S. Embassy Amman, July 19: “Due to a specific and credible threat, Jordanian authorities evacuated the international airport and seaport in Aqaba. We strongly advise all Americans to refrain traveling to either the airport or seaport. Continue to follow all Jordanian authorities’ security directives. U.S. Embassy Amman continues to advise all Americans to avoid travel to military bases in Jordan. On March 2, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Jordan due to safety risks.”

• Mohammad Al Momani, Minister of Government Communication and official government spokesperson, July 19: The relevant authorities “did not issue any decisions for any evacuation at Aqaba Airport or the seaport.” “The airport and the port are operating normally and any potential risks are warned about by the competent Jordanian authorities, and according to the procedures prepared in advance which include the immediate sounding of sirens.” “No potential threats have been registered with the competent Jordanian authorities during the past hours.”

• U.S. Central Command, July 18: “On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing in action. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty. Out of respect for the families, CENTCOM will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.”

• Jordan Armed Forces, July 18: “Air defense systems intercepted and shot down 10 Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom. No casualties or material damage reported. Royal Engineering Corps teams deployed to the sites where missile debris fell to secure the areas and handle remnants according to technical and security procedures. The armed forces remained on high alert and continued to monitor airspace and regional developments while maintaining full operational readiness.”