Two US soldiers killed, one missing in Iranian attack on Jordan base as ceasefire collapses

Attack on Jordan base

Two US service members were killed and a third is missing after Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck Muwaffaq Salti air base in north-central Jordan on July 17, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. Four other soldiers were evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged, while personnel with minor injuries returned to duty. The attack brings the official US military death toll since the escalation began on February 28 to 16.

Two US service members were killed in action in Jordan while CENTCOM and allied forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed the strike hit hangars housing US fighter jets and a large parking platform. Earlier, Iran said a previous attack had struck American fuel depots at the same base. Jordan's military said it shot down four Iranian drones, and later on July 18 intercepted 10 missiles without casualties or damage.

Wider Iranian strikes

On July 18, Iran expanded its attacks to Kuwait and Bahrain. The Revolutionary Guard said it struck the Arifjan base in Kuwait, killing several US soldiers, and destroyed a radar at Ali Al Salem air base along with a maintenance hangar and drone shelter. It also targeted a fuel supply dock at Al Ahmadi port and the Sheikh Isa air base in Bahrain, destroying an intelligence data centre and a signals and communications centre in Kuwait. The Iranian army separately reported hitting aircraft hangars and fuel depots at Sheikh Isa and several bridges.

Kuwait's military said it faced hostile drone attacks, and a second power and desalination plant was hit, causing a fire and shutting down production units. Bahrain's interior ministry said air defences intercepted and destroyed several attacks. Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that countries hosting US forces "must prepare to receive an equivalent response."

US bombing campaign

The US conducted its seventh consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran, targeting surveillance sites, military logistics, underground weapons depots and maritime resources, according to CENTCOM. Iranian authorities in Hormozgan province said the bombings killed at least three people and wounded eight, hitting two bridges and a tunnel. Strikes were also reported in Ahvaz, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Lar, Darab and Yazd.

Iran's health ministry said that since the first exchange of fire after the June 17 memorandum, 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded, including five women and two children among the dead. Spokesman Hosein Kermanpur said 28 surgeries were performed, 460 wounded have been discharged and 37 remain hospitalised.

In the airstrikes more than 500 people have been injured and 50 have received martyrdom.

Ceasefire in tatters

The memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 was meant to pave the way for peace talks, but hostilities resumed on July 8 when Washington launched strikes, citing Iranian actions against merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump declared on July 9 that the ceasefire was no longer in effect and warned that the next phase could target power plants and bridges if Tehran refused to return to negotiations.

The ceasefire is no longer in effect.

Iran has openly suspended the memorandum, accusing the US of violating it. The Revolutionary Guard said its offensives would continue until calm is restored on the southern coast and in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely paralysed again this week.

Threats and warnings

Mohsen Rezai, military advisor to Iran's supreme leader, threatened on July 17 to enter a "total offensive phase" if US bombings continued beyond two to three days. The supreme leader earlier warned of "unforgettable lessons" for the US. The Revolutionary Guard stated that its attacks on US positions in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain were retaliation for the American bombing campaign.

If the American bombings continue beyond two or three days, we will enter a phase of total offensive.