WASHINGTON: The US military has dismissed a claim by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that a missile attack on Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan destroyed three US F-35 fighter jets and caused extensive damage to three others.
The denial came after the IRGC claimed the strike had inflicted significant losses on US military assets stationed at the base. US officials, however, rejected the allegation, saying the claims were inaccurate.
“No US aircraft were destroyed or damaged in recent attempted Iranian attacks,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) writes on X. “All missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach targeted areas.”
CENTCOM also denied that a commercial oil tanker, the Nora, had “broken through” the recently reimposed US blockade on Iranian ports.
Over the past few hours, Iranian state media have continued to report false claims by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – three in particular.
🚫 FIRST CLAIM: The IRGC (again) claims free and open routes through the Strait of Hormuz are dangerous for commercial… pic.twitter.com/J34ILmDvyk
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 30, 2026
“More than 20 US warships, hundreds of aircraft, and thousands of service members remain vigilant and continue to fully enforce the blockade,” the statement added.
Iran’s Araghchi presses Bulgaria over use of bases in US operations
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Bulgaria to reconsider its decision to allow the temporary deployment of US military aircraft at the Bezmer air base, Iranian state media reported.
During a phone conversation with his Bulgarian counterpart Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araghchi said Sofia’s approval of the US request to station aircraft at the base in support of military operations amounted to facilitating what he described as aggression against Iran.
He said the decision was “unacceptable” and inconsistent with the traditionally friendly relations between Iran and Bulgaria.
Iran has repeatedly warned countries that allow their territory or military facilities to be used for US operations against Tehran, saying they could face consequences.
Bulgaria’s parliament last week approved the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 tanker aircraft and as many as 250 personnel at Bezmer air base, despite objections from Iran.
Sofia has maintained that no offensive weapons would be stationed at the facility and that the deployment does not make Bulgaria a participant in any military operations.
Oil prices drop amid Iran-Oman discussions on Hormuz
Meanwhile, oil prices have ticked downward as Tehran and Muscat trade proposals for an agreement governing the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent futures have fallen $1.42, or 1.56 per cent, at $89.32 a barrel just before 1330 GMT (6:30pm PKT) after hitting a high of $93.31.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures have lost $1.14, or 1.35pc, at $83.32, after reaching a high of $85.94.
Iran says discussions with Oman over Strait of Hormuz continue
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Thursday that discussions with Omani officials in Tehran were continuing through multiple rounds of talks, while blaming US and Israeli military actions for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to international shipping.
Baghaei said the talks with Omani representatives, which began in Tehran last week, were ongoing, with additional meetings held on Thursday.
“What is clear is that currently, the Strait of Hormuz is closed due to American actions and the insecurity that America has imposed on this waterway,” Baghaei told the Ilna news agency, adding that disruptions to global shipping were a result of US actions.
He said the situation stemmed from what he described as “military aggression” by the United States and Israel, which began on March 28 and has continued in different forms.
Baghaei also accused Washington and its allies of targeting Iranian vessels, imposing what he called an illegal blockade on ports and transit routes, and carrying out continued strikes against Iran.
Pakistan says US-Iran negotiations continue
Pakistan said on Thursday that negotiations between the United States and Iran remained underway despite a sharp escalation in hostilities, with Washington launching what it described as a “heavy wave of strikes” against Iranian targets following fresh attacks targeting Jordan.
Also Read: Pakistan Says US-Iran Negotiations Continue Despite Fresh Military Escalation
“Let me add that the negotiations between parties are ongoing to normalise the situation, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as to de-escalate,” Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad.
Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s support for dialogue and diplomacy, maintaining that it remained the “only viable path forward”.
“We welcome all efforts aimed at sustaining cessation of hostilities and resumption of dialogue between Iran and the US,” he said, adding that Pakistan remained engaged and will continue to do so.
Trump dismisses allegations of China and Pakistan arming Iran
US President Donald Trump also dismissed a question linking China and Pakistan to alleged weapons supplies to Iran, reiterating that Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally assured him Beijing would not provide arms to Tehran.
The remarks came after reports claimed Iran could receive Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), with some reports alleging Pakistan could serve as a transit route.
Responding to a question on the reports, Trump said he had received direct assurances from Xi that China would not supply weapons to Iran.
Trump dismissed a question linking China and Pakistan to alleged weapons supplies to Iran #Pakistan #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #Peace #Iran #USA #IslamabadMoU #DeEscalation #RegionalStability #Negotiations pic.twitter.com/dGhz3cXElh
— Sajjad Tarakzai (@SajjadTarakzai) July 30, 2026
“He told me very strongly he wouldn’t partake,” Trump said when a journalist asked about reports linking China to alleged arms supplies to Iran.
“Yeah, please. He’s coming here,” Trump added, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit.
