US Launches 8th Night of Iran Strikes After 2 American Soldiers Killed in Jordan
Key Points
- Two US service members were killed and a third went missing after Iran struck the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan with ballistic missiles and drones on Friday.
- The US military completed its eighth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian targets including IRGC forces, coastal military sites and missile facilities.
- Iran broadened its attacks to Kuwaiti oil infrastructure and launched missiles toward Bahrain, with 50 Iranians reported killed and 517 wounded in the latest US strikes.
President Donald Trump called the deaths "a very sad thing," adding: "We are never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."
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US Military Response
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CENTCOM said its forces struck Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets — including air defenses, coastal military sites, missile facilities, and drone infrastructure — in direct retaliation for the Jordan attack. Sunday's strikes hit Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, as well as southern Iranian cities including Shadegan, Sirik, and Hajiabad, according to Iranian state media.
Iran's government reported 50 people killed and 517 wounded in the latest round of American strikes, though those figures could not be independently verified.
The eight consecutive nights of US strikes mark a significant escalation in a conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran targeting military infrastructure and government leadership. The conflict, sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, has since claimed thousands of lives across Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and Gulf Arab states.
Iran Strikes Gulf Neighbors
Iran broadened its attacks beyond US military targets on Saturday, striking oil infrastructure in Kuwait. The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation confirmed that "one of the vital sites in the oil sector was subjected to repeated, brutal Iranian attacks, resulting in severe material losses along with some injuries." Satellite images showed smoke billowing near oil facilities in Kuwait's Ahmadi Governorate and in Mangaf.
Iran also launched missiles and drones toward Bahrain, with sirens sounding near Aqaba in Jordan as Jordanian forces intercepted three missiles. No casualties or significant damage were reported in Jordan from the interceptions.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the US would suffer "unforgettable lessons," accusing Washington of repeatedly violating a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. "Trump's signature is utterly worthless and invalid," Khamenei said in a statement read on Iranian state television.
Senior Iranian advisor Mohsen Rezaei went further, warning that if US strikes continued for another two to three days, Iran would enter a stage of "full-scale invasion and annihilation" and that "no political border will provide security against Iran's offensive forces."
Strait of Hormuz and Global Impact
The Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20 percent of global oil passes daily — remains the central flashpoint of the conflict. Iranian threats to close the waterway and seizures of commercial vessels have sent shockwaves through energy markets since the conflict escalated. Shipping companies have rerouted cargo to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, disrupting global trade and supply chains.
The State Department issued a worldwide caution on Saturday, advising all Americans — particularly those in the Middle East — to "exercise increased caution." The US Embassy in Beirut warned Americans not to travel to Lebanon and to reconsider travel throughout the Middle East. "Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the State Department said.
What This Means for You
The deaths of two American soldiers in Jordan bring the total number of US service members killed in the 2026 Iran war to 16, according to reports. The conflict is being fought largely from the air, but the killing of American troops on the ground marks a dangerous new phase. If you have family members serving in the Middle East, the State Department's worldwide caution advisory is the clearest signal yet that the security environment has deteriorated significantly. For everyone else, the attacks on Kuwaiti oil infrastructure mean higher energy prices are likely — analysts warned that a prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure could push crude oil above $100 per barrel.
Sources: AP, Reuters, ESPN, Bloomberg, BBC and other international news outlets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Content is based on publicly available news sources including CENTCOM statements, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, NPR, Fox News and Axios.
Politics Desk
The NewsOracle Politics Desk covers US politics, Congress, the White House, Supreme Court, global elections and international relations.
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