Two American soldiers killed with 3rd missing in action in Jordan as Iran escalates strikes

TWO US service members have been killed and one is missing in action following Iranian missile strikes in Jordan, according to military officials. At least four others were also injured in the blitz as Donald Trump‘s forces fended off ballistic missile and drone attacks on an American airbase. US and Jordanian forces during a 2024 exercise (stock) Credit: Getty Iranian missile seen being launched towards US targets in the Gulf Credit: AFP It marks the first time US troops have been killed since the ceasefire collapsed and fighting kicked off again two weeks ago. US Central Command (Centcom) said “two US service members in Jordan were killed in action” as they repelled Iranian airstrikes. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! They said: “Additionally, one service member is currently missing in action.” Centcom added: “Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. It comes as both Iran and the US continue launch strikes on each other following the collapse of the ceasefire Credit: AFP US forces have launched strikes on Iran over the last two weeks Credit: AFP “They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.” The identities of those killed are being withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed, Centcom added. The latest deaths bring the number of US personnel who have been killed in the Iran war to 16. The announcement came shortly after reports emerged of at least two Iranian missiles hitting the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan – a hub that hosts American troops and fighter jets. Most read in The Sun Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have been launching missiles at the Gulf allies Credit: AFP Trump declared the ceasefire ‘over’ two weeks ago Credit: AFP Jordanian authorities also said they had intercepted 10 missiles fired into its airspace overnight. But it is currently unclear where exactly the two service members were killed. Bahrain also said its air defences had “thwarted” Iranian attacks as Tehran launched a wave of attacks at US targets across the Gulf allies. Washington and Tehran have been exchanging strikes over the last two weeks after the fragile ceasefire was declared “over” by Trump. On Saturday, the White House said it carried out the seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran since the US president said the peace deal had shattered. Centcom said its forces “hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities” overnight. The regime responded by targeting US allies in the region, including Kuwait. Local authorities in the Gulf state said a power plant, a water distillation facility and an oil hub had been attacked. Several people were also injured in the terrifying missile and drone salvo. Saudi Arabia was also fired on for the first time in nearly three months. The Gulf states have been repeatedly dragged into the conflict by Iran since the war broke out in February. The Gulf Cooperation Council said the latest attacks marked a “grave violation” of international law and were a “dangerous escalation”. The Middle East has endured days of relentless back-and-forth strikes, with the brutal conflict now centred on who controls the Strait of Hormuz. An interim agreement to end the war has been left in tatters since July 7, when Iran struck ships in the key waterway and the US responded with air strikes. Tehran then announced the closure of the strait, and Washington has since reimposed its own blockade of Iranian ports. The collapse of the deal has left the raging war with no clear end in sight after more than four months of devastating violence. Iran’s bloodthirsty Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have warned of an even “more crushing” retaliation if US strikes continue. The regime also threatened to prod its Houthi allies in Yemen to close another key strait – the Bab al-Mandeb at the mouth of the Red Sea. The move could cut off the main alternative route for Middle East oil bypassing the Gulf. Iranian officials have claimed recent US strikes killed dozens and injured hundreds, with fresh casualties reported on Friday. Iran shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel launched their war on February 28, sending shockwaves through global markets. 3 comments3