Topline
Two U.S. service members were killed in action Friday following Iranian strikes against Jordan, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday, the latest U.S. military deaths as the war against Iran has ratcheted up in recent weeks after a ceasefire failed.
Key Facts
The service members were killed in Jordan, Central command said, noting one service member is missing in action after the U.S. and “partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.”
Four American service members were evaluated at Jordanian hospitals following the strikes and have since been discharged, Central Command added.
Strikes between the U.S. and Iran have increased in recent weeks as a ceasefire between the two sides signed last month has been repeatedly violated.
Though many of the strikes in recent weeks have revolved around the highly contested Strait of Hormuz, bombings have spilled into other parts of the Middle East including Bahrain, Kuwait and Iran, with water and power infrastructure being targeted in the latter two countries.
Central Command announced Friday it concluded its seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting assets such as weapons storage, surveillance sites and military logistics infrastructure.
How Many U.S. Soldiers Have Died In The Middle East This Year?
16 service members have died during the war against Iran. Prior to the two deaths reported Saturday, the tally rose earlier this month after a Navy pilot died in a helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea. A majority of the deaths from the war were recorded in March, soon after the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
Key Background
The Iran war has lasted for 140 days, far past President Donald Trump’s initial timeline of four to six weeks. A temporary peace agreement was signed between the U.S. and Iran that called for an end to military operations, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the beginning of a 60-day negotiation period in which finer conflicts between the two countries, which primarily revolves around nuclear weapons and the strait, would be had. Not long after the agreement was signed, the U.S. struck Iran in response to attacks made against commercial vessels in the strait, which continued for weeks. Iran has recently claimed civilian infrastructure is being targeted following Trump’s threats to attack assets like bridges, railways and power networks. The U.S. has not claimed responsibility for the strikes.
U.S. Renews Strikes On Iran As Trump Threatens Civilian Infrastructure (Forbes)
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