Iranian strikes kill two US troops as Washington hits back
Iranian strikes on a US-linked airbase in Jordan killed two American service members and left one missing, prompting fresh US air strikes on Iranian military targets. Tehran then claimed drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait as the conflict entered an eighth night of exchanges and markets watched the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Takeaways
- Two US troops were killed and one remains missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday.
- US Central Command said Saturday night strikes hit IRGC units tied to the Jordan attack plus coastal surveillance and air defence sites.
- Iran said it launched kamikaze drone attacks on Camp Udairi and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
- The US death toll in the renewed conflict has risen to 16 as a preliminary ceasefire collapsed earlier in July.
- Centcom framed its campaign as aimed at degrading threats to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
What happened in the latest Iranian strikes?
According to BBC reporting, US Central Command said two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as Centcom and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. One service member is currently missing.
Al Jazeera reported that video captured an Iranian missile striking Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Airbase, killing two US service members and injuring four others. Centcom said it would withhold identities until 24 hours after next of kin are notified.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded on X, writing: "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."
How did the US and Iran respond?
Centcom said Saturday night air strikes successfully hit Iranian military capabilities and were designed to "swiftly punish" IRGC forces who launched the Jordan attacks. Iranian state media said Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz had been struck.
The Guardian reported that Centcom also cited coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites among the targets. The US strikes marked an eighth successive night of attacks.
In response, Iran's army said it carried out drone attacks on two US bases in Kuwait. IRGC-affiliated Tasnim said Iran launched "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones" against a depot at Camp Udairi and Ali Al Salem Air Base.
Why does this matter for markets and shipping?
Centcom said the US strikes were also "designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." Washington has reimposed a blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran declared the waterway closed after a preliminary June ceasefire unravelled.
President Donald Trump declared that agreement "over" on 8 July. For readers tracking risk assets and energy-linked volatility, BlasterPost's Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage follows how Middle East escalation can ripple through markets.
Kuwait accused Iran of targeting civilian sites and vital infrastructure, including a power and water desalination plant, and said firefighters and a worker were injured. Bahrain activated air sirens, while Jordan's Petra news agency said the kingdom downed Iranian missiles.
The US death toll in the conflict has now risen to 16 after a Navy pilot missing earlier this month was declared dead. Iran's health ministry says US strikes have killed 50 people and wounded more than 500 since hostilities resumed.