Two US service members were killed, and another remains missing following Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday, according to military officials.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that four other service members were evacuated to hospitals in Jordan but have since been discharged. Personnel with minor injuries have returned to duty, BBC reports.
The identities of the dead have not been released, and officials declined to provide details on the circumstances or location of the incident.
On Saturday night, the US launched fresh air strikes against Iran under President Donald Trump’s orders. Centcom said the strikes, the eighth consecutive night of bombardment, were intended to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz” and to “swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.”
The escalation follows the collapse of a preliminary ceasefire less than a month after it began. Washington has reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written statement late Saturday accusing the US of repeated breaches of the agreement, saying they revealed “a fundamental truth: the signature of the US president is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility.”
Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the killing of his father at the start of the war, accused Washington of seeking to “escalate the conflict” and warned that Iran had “unforgettable lessons in store.”
Jordan’s military reported intercepting 10 Iranian missiles overnight, with no damage reported.
The US death toll in the conflict has now reached 16, after an American Navy pilot missing earlier this month was declared dead, the second increase in fatalities this week, according to the BCC report.
In a statement, CENTCOM said, “Two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as US Central Command and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.
Additionally, one service member is currently missing. Out of respect for the families, Centcom will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it destroyed at least two US fighter aircraft at Al‑Azraq base in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Centcom declined to comment further when contacted by the BBC.
Separately, the US Department of State issued a global advisory urging Americans, particularly those in the Middle East, to exercise “increased caution” and monitor news for developments, citing the risk of “unforeseen escalation.”
The preliminary deal to end the war, struck in June, unraveled within weeks. Trump declared the agreement “over” on 8 July.
Iranian state media, citing the health ministry, reported that at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes over the past three weeks. Official figures indicate thousands have died across the Middle East since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February, with most casualties in Iran and Lebanon.
Both sides have been accused of targeting critical infrastructure in recent days. Iran alleged that US strikes hit bridges, a train station, and an airport earlier this week.
Washington denied the claims, insisting it targeted only military sites. BBC Verify confirmed an attack on a bridge in Hormozgan province.
