US Launches Airstrikes on Iran to Punish IRGC for Jordan Attack Killing Two Troops
The United States launched fresh Iran strikes on Saturday ordered by President Donald Trump to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to punish IRGC forces for an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan that killed two American service members.
U.S. Launches New Airstrikes on Iran
The United States launched fresh strikes on Iran Saturday, a day after two American service members were killed in Jordan by Iranian missile and drone attacks. [1] U.S. Central Command said in a social media post the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and to “swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.” [1] The strikes began at 6 p.m. ET on the orders of President Donald Trump. [2] CENTCOM stated that today at 6 pm ET, US forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief's direction. [2] The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night. [2] The U.S. military launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran on Saturday evening after President Donald Trump ordered retaliation for an attack on American forces in Jordan. [4] CENTCOM announced the operation on X. [3]
Retaliation for Deadly Attack in Jordan
The operation follows Friday's Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. [2] Friday’s strike also left four troops wounded and one missing. [1] CENTCOM announced that two US service members were killed in action, one is missing in action, and four were injured during Iranian strikes on Friday in Jordan. [3] The four injured service members were evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged. [3] Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty. [3] CENTCOM is withholding further information, including the identities of the service members killed in action, until 24 hours after their next of kin have been identified. [3] The US military is withholding the identities of the fallen until their families are notified. [2]
Rising U.S. Death Toll in Iran Conflict
The total U.S. death toll now stands at 16 since the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28. [1] The latest attack raised the US military death toll in the Iran conflict to 16 service members, according to US officials. [2] The US military death toll in the conflict with Iran now stands at 16. [1]
Reported Targets in Iran
Iranian media reported that the US military had targeted an area near the city of Hajiabad. [3] Iran's Sirik and Hajiabad were targeted in US attacks according to reports. [5] No casualties were reported and residential and commercial infrastructure was not damaged. [5] Iranian media reported that the U.S. targeted areas near Hajiabad and Sirik, with no casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure reported. [3]
Ongoing Escalation
The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Saturday night, making the eighth consecutive night of attacks. [3] The latest operation marks another escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran. [2] The US military has not disclosed the locations targeted in the latest wave of strikes or released an initial battle damage assessment. [2] Iran had not immediately commented on the operation. [2] CENTCOM stated the operation aims to punish IRGC forces responsible for the Jordan attack and to further degrade Iran's maritime threat capabilities. [2]
What to watch next: Iran had not immediately commented on the operation and the US military has not disclosed locations targeted or released an initial battle damage assessment.
