New US Strikes on Iran for Eighth Night in Response to Killing of Two Soldiers in Jordan

Published 18 July 2026, 22:41 GMT

Last updated 6 minutes ago

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US forces launched new airstrikes on targets in Iran on Saturday night, based on "direct orders from the Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces".

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said these military strikes aim to achieve two main objectives: "The first is to secure international navigation by further weakening Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz."

It added: "The second objective is the swift military response to punish the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attacks launched last night targeting members of US forces in Jordan."

Tehran has not responded yet, but it has vowed to retaliate if its vital facilities and infrastructure are targeted.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in a written message, accused the United States of repeatedly violating its obligations under the memorandum of understanding.

Khamenei also said that the Iranian people and the 'Axis of Resistance' will teach the United States 'unforgettable lessons'.

He added that Washington seeks hegemony and to ignite wars, and that signing the memorandum of understanding with Washington is 'worthless' and 'invalid', considering that 'brutality' is an inseparable part of the American approach, and that US crimes and breach of promises are evidence of 'its lies and untrustworthiness'.

The United States and Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding last June, following the conclusion of the G7 summit in France.

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American casualties in Jordan

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US military officials announced that two soldiers were killed, and a third remains missing, following ballistic missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting Jordan on Friday.

CENTCOM reported that four US soldiers were evacuated to Jordanian hospitals for treatment, and later left. Others who sustained minor injuries returned to duty.

In a statement on Saturday, CENTCOM said: "Two US soldiers were killed in Jordan while confronting Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, in cooperation with partner forces. Another soldier remains missing."

The Jordanian army had earlier announced that it intercepted 10 Iranian missiles launched into its airspace overnight, without reporting any damage.

Satellite images confirm the presence of a US military base inside Jordan

US military officials did not disclose the identities of the dead, nor did they provide details about the circumstances of the incident or the location of the latest attack in Jordan.

The number of US deaths in the conflict rose to 16, after announcing the death of a US Navy pilot who had been missing earlier this month, marking the second increase in deaths this week.

In response to the news of the death, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: "May God have mercy on the heroes. Their sacrifice strengthens our resolve."

Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the destruction of at least two US fighter jets at dawn on Saturday at the Azraq base in Jordan.

BBC contacted CENTCOM regarding this report, but it refrained from providing further details.

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