US bombs Iran after Jordan attack kills two American troops

The US launched fresh airstrikes on Iran early on Sunday after two service members were killed in Jordan. CENTCOM said the operation targeted IRGC-linked threats to shipping and answered the Jordan attack.CENTCOM said the attacks were intended to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping. (File Photo)The United States launched fresh airstrikes against Iran early on Sunday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The operation was ordered by President Donald Trump. The strikes came hours after two US service members were killed while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan.CENTCOM said another service member remained missing in action, while four others were injured and later discharged from hospitals in Jordan. The identities of the two deceased personnel will be withheld until their next of kin are notified.CENTCOM mentioned that the operation was specifically aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. They also discussed targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces responsible for the attack in Jordan.US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the deaths of two American service members during Iranian attacks in Jordan would strengthen Washington's resolve. "Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve," Hegseth said in a statement, reacting to the first confirmed US military fatalities since the conflict with Iran escalated. Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that US military strikes hit areas near the southern port city of Sirik. US military has also struck near Hajiabad but no casualties have been reported yet.IRAN SIGNALS CONFLICT TO INTENSIFYIran signalled that the conflict with the United States could intensify, with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warning on Saturday that Washington would face "unforgettable lessons" from Iran and its allies. In a written statement, Khamenei accused the US of repeatedly violating a memorandum of understanding between the two countries and said President Donald Trump's signature was "utterly worthless and devoid of credibility." His remarks came as both countries continued exchanging strikes after a ceasefire collapsed last week, fuelling concerns of a wider regional conflict. The latest escalation has centred on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime chokepoint through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.THE BLAME GAME CONTINUESIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of attempting to gain control over the waterway. The US, meanwhile, has accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping and targeting vessels that bypass Iranian checkpoints in an effort to dominate traffic through the strait.The United Arab Emirates on Saturday called for an immediate end to the latest escalation in the Middle East and urged all sides to return to dialogue and negotiations.In a statement, the UAE's foreign ministry said attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law and "cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted or justified."- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 19, 2026 04:34 IST