WASHINGTON — Two U.S. service members were killed and another remains missing after an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on a military base in Jordan, the U.S. military said on Saturday, marking the first confirmed American combat deaths from direct Iranian fire since the latest phase of the conflict intensified.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack occurred on Friday as U.S. and partner forces defended against incoming missiles and drones targeting a base in Jordan. Four additional service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan before being discharged, while other personnel treated for minor injuries returned to duty. The identities of the dead have not been released pending notification of their families.
The strike comes as fighting between the United States and Iran has intensified following the collapse of an interim ceasefire last week. The exchange of attacks has raised concerns that the conflict could broaden further across the Middle East.
President Donald Trump described the deaths as "a very sad thing" and ordered additional military strikes against Iranian targets later on Saturday, according to U.S. officials. U.S. military statements said the latest operations targeted Iranian military infrastructure following the attack in Jordan.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, defended their military operations as a response to ongoing U.S. strikes inside Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that Washington would face consequences for what he described as efforts to expand the conflict, according to Iranian state media and official statements cited by Reuters.
Jordan has not immediately announced additional measures following the attack. The kingdom hosts U.S. military personnel and has repeatedly found itself near the center of regional hostilities because of its strategic location and its role in supporting coalition operations.
According to U.S. military figures, the latest fatalities bring the number of American service members killed during the conflict with Iran to 16. The Pentagon has said more than 400 U.S. personnel have been wounded in various attacks and operational incidents since hostilities escalated earlier this year.
Search efforts for the missing service member were continuing, CENTCOM said, adding that no further information would be released until families had been notified and operational security considerations permitted additional details.
