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Two U.S. service members were killed and another remains missing after an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack targeted American forces in Jordan on Friday, U.S. Central Command said Saturday, marking one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops since fighting between Washington and Tehran intensified.
CENTCOM said the troops were killed in action while U.S. and partner forces defended against the barrage. The military did not disclose the location of the attack within Jordan or provide additional operational details.
The identities of the two service members have not been released pending notification of their families.
Four additional U.S. service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan following the attack but have since been discharged, according to CENTCOM. Other personnel treated for minor injuries have already returned to duty.
The strike comes amid rapidly escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran following the collapse of an interim ceasefire that had temporarily paused direct military confrontation.
Over the past week, Iran has launched repeated waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting U.S. military positions and American allies across the Middle East, including installations in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. In response, U.S. forces have carried out multiple strikes against Iranian military infrastructure and strategic targets.
Jordan confirmed Saturday that its air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles and drones that Tehran said were intended for U.S. military bases located inside the country.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed at least two U.S. fighter jets were destroyed during the operation, according to Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency. U.S. officials have not confirmed the claim.
The deaths underscore the growing risks facing U.S. forces deployed throughout the region as the conflict continues to expand beyond direct strikes on Iranian territory.
The Pentagon has not announced whether additional defensive measures or troop deployments will follow the attack. Officials also have not released details about the ongoing search for the missing service member.
President Donald Trump has pledged to continue military operations against Iran following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations, while U.S. commanders remain on heightened alert for additional retaliatory attacks against American personnel and facilities across the Middle East.
The attack represents one of the most serious losses for U.S. forces during the latest phase of the conflict and is likely to intensify pressure on the administration as regional tensions continue to rise.
