By Ayo Kehinde
Two United States service members were killed in action, another remains missing, and four others were wounded after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeted U.S. military positions in Jordan, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Saturday.
The deadly attack occurred on Friday, July 17, as U.S. and partner forces defended military installations against a coordinated barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. CENTCOM did not disclose the exact locations of the targeted bases or provide further operational details.
According to the he Command, the four wounded service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan, where they received treatment before being discharged. Several other troops who sustained minor injuries were evaluated and have since 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.”
Earlier on Saturday, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces had carried out a seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets.
According to the Command, the latest operations struck surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities and maritime capabilities in an effort to degrade Iran’s military capacity.
With the latest casualties, at least 16 U.S. service members have now been killed since the conflict began, while more than 430 others have been wounded in attacks across the region.
The confrontation between Washington and Tehran has continued to widen, with both countries exchanging strikes against military installations, surveillance facilities, logistics infrastructure, underground weapons depots and maritime assets.
One of the conflict’s major flashpoints remains the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which nearly one-fifth of global crude oil supplies are transported. Continued fighting around the area has heightened fears of disruptions to global energy markets and broader economic instability.
Military operations have also raised concerns over threats to civilian infrastructure, including desalination plants that supply drinking water to millions of people across the Gulf region.
