2 US troops killed, 1 missing after Iranian missile, drone attack in Jordan
AI Analysis
An Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on U.S. and partner forces in Jordan killed two U.S. service members and left one missing, with four others medically evacuated. The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran, bringing total U.S. troop deaths to 16 and wounded to over 400 since February.
Key Takeaways
- Two U.S. service members killed, one missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan.
- Four U.S. troops medically evacuated and later discharged; others with minor injuries returned to duty.
- Attack occurred on U.S. and partner forces, announced by U.S. Central Command.
- Total U.S. troop deaths in the war with Iran now 16; over 400 wounded since Feb. 28.
- Identities of deceased withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
Why It Matters
This attack demonstrates Iran's continued willingness to use combined ballistic missile and drone strikes against U.S. forces, highlighting vulnerabilities in base defense and the need for enhanced counter-UAS and missile defense systems. The rising casualty count underscores the escalating cost of the U.S. military presence in the region and potential for further escalation.
Two U.S. service members were killed in action on Friday in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on U.S. and partner forces in Jordan, U.S. Central Command announced.
A third U.S. service member is missing, the command release added, while four more troops had to be medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan.
Those four service members have since been discharged, the command added.
“Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty,” the release stated.
U.S. Central Command is withholding the identities of the dead until 24 hours after the service members’ next of kin have been notified.
Additional information about the exact location of the attack had not been provided as of publication.
The casualties in Friday’s attack bring the toll of American troops killed in the war with Iran to 16.
Most recently, the commanding officer of the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, was killed on July 1 when the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter he was aboard went down in the Arabian Sea. Three other sailors were rescued following the emergency landing.
More than 400 U.S. troops have been wounded in the campaign, which began Feb. 28.
J.D. Simkins is Editor-in-Chief of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.