US launches new airstrikes on Iran after Jordan attack kills two

U.S. forces launched new airstrikes targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday, aiming to curb Tehran's threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliate for attacks that killed two American service members in Jordan. The strikes were executed at the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes were designed to "swiftly punish" IRGC forces responsible for the attacks on American personnel. This action follows CENTCOM's confirmation that two U.S. service members were killed and another remained missing in Jordan while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone assaults.

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Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief's direction. 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.

According to CENTCOM, the service members died on July 17 while performing their duties during a coordinated defense against Iranian strikes. Four other U.S. service members sustained injuries and were medically evacuated; they have since been discharged. Other personnel treated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

On Friday, the Iranian Army announced it had targeted fuel storage facilities at Jordan's Al-Azraq Air Base as part of "Operation Lightning." The statement detailed drone strikes against multiple U.S. military installations in Jordan and Kuwait, including an ammunition depot at Al-Udairi Camp and facilities at Ali Al-Salem Air Base. These Iranian strikes were presented as retaliation for previous U.S. military operations against Iran, marking the seventh consecutive night of such actions.

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On July 17, two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan while performing their duties, during the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces' defense against attacks launched by Iran using ballistic missiles and drones. In addition, one service member remains among the missing.