2 U.S. Soldiers Killed, 1 Missing in Iranian Attack... First U.S. Fatalities from Direct Iranian Assault

"Two U.S. Soldiers Killed During Ballistic Missile and Drone Interception in Jordan"
Four More American Service Members Injured

As military clashes between the United States and Iran intensify, a missile and drone attack by Iran has resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and the disappearance of one more. This marks the first time since the war began in February that U.S. service members have been killed as a result of a direct attack by Iranian forces.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees all American military operations targeting Iran, announced in a statement on July 18 (local time), "On the 17th, while U.S. Central Command and allied forces were defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, two U.S. soldiers stationed in Jordan were killed and one went missing."

Central Command did not disclose the specific location of the attack. However, it is believed that the incident occurred at an American airbase in Jordan.

According to German news agency dpa, a key U.S. military base in Jordan is located in Azraq, approximately 100 kilometers northeast of the capital Amman.

The United States had carried out airstrikes against Iranian military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz for seven consecutive days prior to the incident. In response, Iran has attacked U.S. military bases located in the Middle Eastern allies of the United States, including Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, further escalating the exchange of hostilities between the two sides.

According to the Associated Press, since the war began on February 28, the total number of U.S. military fatalities has risen to 16, including the latest victims, and the number of wounded has exceeded 430.

On July 7, following an Iranian military attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities that had been previously signed by the United States and Iran was terminated, effectively bringing the ceasefire to an end. Amidst the resumption of hostilities by both sides, this is the first instance of U.S. combat deaths under the renewed conflict.

With growing domestic opposition in the United States to the prolonged war, the recent deaths of American soldiers are expected to present a political burden to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has ordered strikes against Iran.

The U.S. administration may also consider increasing the intensity or expanding the scope of its airstrikes on Iran in response to the deaths of its service members.

Central Command stated that, apart from those killed and missing, four American soldiers were transferred to a local hospital in Jordan and have since been discharged. Other soldiers who sustained minor injuries received treatment before returning to duty.

Central Command added, "Out of respect for the families of the fallen, no additional information—including the identities of the deceased—will be released until 24 hours after the next-of-kin notification process is complete."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.