2 US troops dead, 1 missing after Iran attacks base in Jordan
These are the first American service members killed due to direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war
In Iran war news with major US political implications, two US soldiers were killed and several wounded by an Iranian drone, the Pentagon announced on Saturday.
The tragedy, the first US combat deaths in months, came as US President Donald Trump has tried to downplay or distract attention from the hugely unpopular war that he started in late February, as his polling numbers tank four months in advance of a hugely consequential midterm election.
“Two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as US Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks,” CENTCOM posted to social media. “Additionally, one service member is currently missing in action.”
The US military a few hours later said it launched a new wave of air strikes against Iran to “swiftly punish” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”.
Four other service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and discharged after the Friday attack, it added, without identifying those who died.
“Godspeed, heroes,” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X. “Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”