2 U.S. service members killed, 1 missing in attack on base in Jordan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military confirmed a somber milestone on Saturday, reporting the first American troop fatalities from direct Iranian fire since the conflict began. Two service members were killed and a third remains missing following a targeted attack on a base in Jordan.

Casualties and Response

The attack occurred on Friday as U.S. forces and their partners worked to intercept a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones. While two service members were killed and one remains missing, four others were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan and have since been discharged. The names of the fallen have not yet been released.

Since the onset of the war, 16 U.S. service members have been killed and more than 430 have sustained injuries.

Escalating Tensions and Regional Impact

The violence comes as Iran’s supreme leader issued a stern warning of "unforgettable lessons" for the United States, further signaling that the regional conflict is deepening. This rhetoric coincides with Tehran’s decision to suspend commitments made just a month ago under an interim agreement aimed at ending the hostilities.

The conflict continues to put extreme pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway. As the "Axis of Resistance"—Iran’s network of armed proxies—remains active, strikes are increasingly targeting civilian and critical infrastructure. Recent Iranian strikes in Kuwait have hit oil facilities and water desalination plants, forcing power units offline and disrupting daily life in the nation, which relies on desalination for 90% of its water supply.

Reports from across the region confirm widespread defensive actions: Iraq successfully intercepted drones over Irbil, while Jordan’s air defense systems downed incoming missiles. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have reported multiple air sirens throughout the day.

Ongoing Military Engagements

U.S. Central Command confirmed Saturday that it has conducted its seventh consecutive night of airstrikes, targeting Iranian surveillance sites, logistics infrastructure, and weapons storage. Iranian state media reported that U.S. operations hit desalination and power plants in the Hormozgan province, leaving approximately 10,000 residents without water.

As military strikes continue to damage bridges and transit routes toward the port of Bandar Abbas, the humanitarian and economic toll mounts. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to shipping, global oil markets remain volatile, and negotiations for a peaceful resolution currently show no signs of progress.