US finds ‘unidentified remains’ in search for MIA soldier after two service members killed during Iran strikes

THE US army has found “unidentified remains” in the search for a missing soldier, its central command announced. It comes after two service members were killed in Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have been launching missiles at the Gulf allies Credit: AFP US and Jordanian forces during a 2024 exercise (stock) Credit: Getty The first two deaths in Jordan were announced by US Central Command (Centcom) yesterday. Centcom said on Sunday: “After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.” A third US service member died in northern Iraq, Centcom added. They were “killed in action July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone”, American military chiefs said. A second service member was injured in the same incident. The identities of the dead and missing American military personnel have not been released. Donald Trump launched huge revenge strikes against Iran last night after the two US service members’ deaths. Most read in The Sun The US blitzed several bridges in southern Iran this week, as well as ports and surveillance towers Credit: Getty American forces stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan Credit: Airbus The third soldier was missing in action as the first two deaths were announced and at least four others were injured. Deaths were confirmed 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. Footage from the Jordanian base showed at least two impacts and an blast. But the US army did not confirm where exactly the two service members were killed. In retaliation, US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed on Saturday that they had unleashed a fresh blitz on Iran. They said the attacks would “swiftly punish” the regime for taking American lives. The deaths bring the American toll of the war to 16 – but the two service members confirmed dead on Friday were the first to be killed by direct fire from Iran since it broke out. And it’s the first time US troops have been killed since the ceasefire collapsed two weeks ago, with Trump declaring it “over” after several exchanges of fire. The US and Iran have ramped up attacks in the weeks since – last night’s revenge strikes on the rogue nation marked the eighth night in the row that Trump has blitzed Iran. In last night’s huge barrage of attacks, Centcom said the US has hit Iranian coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, Iranian forces and weapon storage sites. Speaking to NY Post on Saturday, the US president said the soldiers had died “in service to their country”. He added: “And it’s a shame, but in this case, they died because they don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon and they don’t want to see the Middle East blown up”. The US also blitzed several bridges in southern Iran this week, as well as ports and surveillance towers. Iranian authorities said a nuclear plant that was hit as it was still being built, leading the UN’s nuclear watchdog to call for restraint. Comment now