Two US soldiers killed, another missing after Iran missile, drone attacks on Jordan

Two US soldiers killed, another missing after Iran missile, drone attacks on Jordan

The United States military announced Saturday the first troop deaths resulting from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war, confirming two service members were killed and another is missing in action following attacks on a base in Jordan. The deaths occurred Friday, July 17, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.

Four additional American service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan but have since been discharged. Other personnel treated for minor injuries have returned to duty. CENTCOM is withholding the identities of the deceased until 24 hours after next of kin are notified.

The casualties follow a period of intensifying exchanges. Total U.S. Service member deaths since the start of the war now stand at 16, with over 430 wounded. Previous losses include six soldiers killed by an Iranian drone strike on a command center in Kuwait, one death at a base in Saudi Arabia, and six who died when a refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq. Earlier this month, a helicopter pilot crashed in the Arabian Sea.

Escalation Across the Region

The conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. And Israeli strikes intended to disable Iran's regional proxies and missile program, has seen a surge in strikes against infrastructure and military sites. On Saturday, Iran targeted several U.S. Allies.

In Kuwait, air defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have destroyed a radar facility at Ali Al Salem Air Base and struck a military support center at Camp Arifjan. Local authorities and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation reported that an oil facility and a water desalination plant were hit. The attack on the desalination plant—the second in two days—caused a fire and forced several power generation units offline. This is critical for the nation, which depends on desalination for 90% of its drinking water.

In Jordan, Iranian state TV claimed the IRGC destroyed at least two US fighter aircraft and three other aircraft during a missile and drone attack early on Saturday on the US base in Al Azraq, Jordan. Separately, reports indicated attacks on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a major hub for U.S. Tactical aircraft, where NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System detected a fire near a runway and aircraft parking area.

Other regional activity included:

• Saudi Arabia: Early warning systems urged residents in Yanbu, a key oil export terminal, and Al-Kharj, home to a U.S. Troop base, to seek shelter. Reports indicated an Iranian missile attack occurred, the first on Saudi Arabia in more than three months.
• Bahrain: Air sirens sounded throughout the day, and Iranian media reported strikes on an intelligence data center and Sheikh Isa Air Base.
• Iraq: Officials stated that attack drones were shot down over Irbil.

The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz

Military operations have centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously carried a fifth of the world's crude oil. The U.S. Has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to stop crude oil shipments, reporting that five ships were redirected and one disabled on Saturday. Iran has effectively closed the strait to traffic, asserting that the waterway should be under its sole control and that vessels must pay fees to Tehran.

The U.S. Launched its seventh consecutive night of strikes early Saturday. CENTCOM stated these targeted maritime capabilities, underground weapons storage, military logistics infrastructure, and surveillance sites. Iranian state TV reported that these strikes hit an electricity and desalination plant in Hormozgan province, destroying the Bonji plant and cutting water to about 10,000 people. A desalination plant on Qeshm Island was also damaged.

Infrastructure damage in Iran includes three bridges hit Saturday, with two tunnels and a bridge damaged on a main highway toward Bandar Abbas, the primary port near the strait's narrowest point. The Iranian Health Ministry stated that 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in U.S. Strikes over the last three weeks.

Diplomatic Collapse

The military escalation follows the breakdown of an interim ceasefire deal signed approximately one month ago. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told state TV that the U.S. Violated its commitments and Iran is no longer implementing them. This includes the suspension of commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a written statement via state media and social media. He described President Donald Trump's signature as worthless and invalid and utterly worthless and devoid of credibility. He warned that the Axis of Resistance and the nation of Iran have unforgettable lessons in store for the U.S.

The EU and Gulf states are currently calling on Iran to permanently open the Strait of Hormuz without conditions or fees. Meanwhile, oil prices rose more than 4% on Friday, reaching their highest level in over a month.