Amman: The US military has reported its first combat fatalities since March in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Pentagon announced that during defensive operations in Jordan, two service members were killed and another went missing, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities and threatening a fragile cease-fire.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed on X that on July 17, two US service members were killed in action while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member remains missing in action. The attacks also injured four other service members, who were subsequently evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. Two have since been discharged, while others with minor injuries have returned to duty. The location of the attack within Jordan was not disclosed, and the identification of the victims is being withheld pending family notification.
The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, located approximately 80 kilometers outside of Amman, is a primary site for US operations in Jordan. Other operational sites include the Prince Hassan Air Base and various military facilities across the country. Reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that the strike occurred at the Muwaffaq Salti base, which has been a launch site for US air strikes against Iran.
In response to the incident, US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences in an interview with NewsNation, describing the deaths as "very sad" and acknowledging their service to the country. US defense chief Pete Hegseth also commented on X, honoring the fallen service members and reinforcing US resolve.
The recent fatalities increase the known combat deaths among US service members to 16 since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Previous incidents include a drone strike in Kuwait, an attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and a plane crash in Iraq. Additionally, a US Navy pilot died in a noncombat helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea in early July.
Iranian officials have responded to the US strikes by announcing the suspension of an interim memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Washington. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi cited US aggression as a violation of the Islamabad declaration of intent, prompting Tehran to suspend its commitments. Major General Mohsen Rezaei threatened that Iran was ready to resume "full-scale offensive operations" if US actions persisted.
The MOU was intended to facilitate a permanent end to the war, particularly addressing the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil and gas supplies. Iran's attempts to control the strait have been deemed a violation of the MOU by Washington. Recent US strikes aimed to diminish Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the strait.
A statement attributed to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei criticized the US for repeated MOU violations. Khamenei, who has not been observed in public since his father's death in February, remains a figure of uncertainty regarding his health and leadership capabilities.
Khamenei's absence from his father's funeral raised questions about his legitimacy and governance over Iran's population of roughly 90 million. Authorities cited security concerns as the reason for his absence from the ceremonies.