Two U.S. Troops Killed and One Missing After Iran Strikes Base in Jordan

Two U.S. service members have been killed in an Iranian strike on an airbase in Jordan, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.

“On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty,” the report said.

CENTCOM added, “Out of respect for the families, CENTCOM will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.”

The service members were killed Friday defending against Iranian drone strikes, according to Fox News, while four others were hospitalized and released.

The news broke after Iran issued a chilling warning for people to “stay away” from American military bases in the region amid an escalation in the conflict.

Fox News’s Lucas Tomlinson reported from Tel Aviv:

We’ve just learned from the U.S. Military central command in charge of all U.S. Forces in the Middle East that two American service members have been killed and one is still missing after an Iranian missile attack on a base in Jordan.

Additionally, we’ve learned that four American service members were wounded. They were transferred to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged.

This all coming last night after at least two intermediate-range ballistic missiles fired from Iran hit a base in Jordan not long of after U.S. Air force personnel had arrived, part of president Trump’s reinforcements, F16 squadron, as well as an F35 squadron.

Of course, U.S. Air force personnel are deployed throughout the Middle East, have been heavily focused on the two U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups in the Arabian sea.

The Air Force isn’t as public about where it deploys its forces, but Jordan is a major hub, along with bases here in Israel, also Qatar, UAE and, of course, in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump has not yet commented on the news out of the Gulf.

The deaths of the U.S. service members are the first since March, when six were killed in action, and weeks after the Trump Administration briefly reached a ceasefire agreement with Iran.

The memorandum of understanding, which was signed in June and gave a 60 day deadline for both sides to reach a more enduring peace agreement, quickly faltered.

The U.S. had just finished seven straight days of strikes when latest deaths of American service members occurred.

CBS News reported late Friday several American service members were injured during attacks by Iran on two Jordanian bases, citing multiple sources who were not cleared to speak on the attacks.

Saturday afternoon, the U.S. State Department issued a “Worldwide Caution” for travel to the Middle East.

“The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the alert said.

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