US soldier dies in Iraq handling Iranian drone ordnance

A U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq while attempting to detonate an unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone, the U.S. Central Command announced.

The soldier was killed during a controlled detonation process on Friday. Another soldier suffered minor injuries and is receiving treatment. This incident marks further casualties for the U.S. military amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Just days prior, two U.S. service members were killed and one went missing after an Iranian drone attack on a base in Jordan. The Central Command is currently working to identify remains recovered from the Jordanian site, believed to be those of the missing service member.

The ongoing exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran has raised concerns about a wider conflict. Both nations have been criticized for targeting key infrastructure, with the U.S. resuming naval blockades and Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz.