The United States has launched an eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iran after two American service members were killed in Jordan. Tehran answered with attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Jordan, pushing the war into a more dangerous regional phase.
US Launches Retaliatory Strikes After American Troops Killed in Jordan
The United States launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran on Sunday, saying the operation was carried out in retaliation for the deaths of two American service members in Jordan, marking the first confirmed U.S. military fatalities since hostilities with Iran resumed.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units responsible for missile and drone attacks on American forces stationed in Jordan. The military described the operation as a direct response intended to “swiftly punish” those behind the attack.
The two U.S. troops were killed on Friday while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks on a military installation in Jordan. CENTCOM also said one additional service member remains missing. The deaths bring the total number of confirmed U.S. military fatalities since the conflict began on February 28 to 16.
Iran responded within hours, announcing fresh attacks on U.S. military facilities in Kuwait. Iranian state media said drones struck an ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and targeted Patriot radar and air surveillance systems at Ali Al Salem Air Base. Tehran also reported renewed strikes against American military positions in Jordan.
The latest exchange came as U.S. forces carried out an eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets. Iranian news agencies reported explosions in Sirik, a strategic port on the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. attacks were said to have hit military facilities.
Iran’s leadership vowed further retaliation.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that the United States would receive an “unforgettable lesson” if military operations continued. Senior military adviser Major General Mohsen Rezaei said Iran was prepared to resume “full-scale offensive operations,” while Armed Forces commander Ali Abdollahi warned that any further American attacks would be met with a “decisive and devastating response.”
The fighting has intensified after diplomatic efforts to preserve a preliminary ceasefire agreement collapsed. The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the conflict, with Iran maintaining restrictions on the vital waterway while the United States has imposed its own maritime blockade on Iranian ports.
The confrontation has increasingly spread beyond Iran and Israel, drawing Gulf states deeper into the conflict.
Kuwait accused Iran of targeting civilian infrastructure after missile and drone attacks disrupted operations and raised concerns about essential services. Residents reported panic buying of bottled water and food supplies amid fears that attacks on critical infrastructure could affect daily life.
Iran also claimed to have targeted a U.S.-used air base in Bahrain and fuel storage facilities at Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan. The Jordanian military said it intercepted multiple missiles during the latest wave of attacks.
Despite continued mediation efforts by regional governments, prospects for a negotiated settlement have deteriorated. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States is prepared to expand strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacks on American forces continue.
The humanitarian impact is also growing. Iranian authorities said dozens of civilians have been killed and hundreds injured since fighting resumed. Officials also reported damage to power facilities and desalination plants in southern Iran, disrupting drinking water supplies to several villages.
With both sides escalating military operations and expanding the range of targets, the conflict is entering a broader regional phase, raising concerns over security in the Gulf, the safety of international shipping, and the stability of global energy markets.
