US service member killed during Iranian drone detonation as US launches fresh strikes on Iran
The United States on Sunday announced the death of another service member as it carried out a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, while Tehran launched missiles and drones toward Jordan, further escalating the conflict across West Asia.The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an American service member was killed in northern Iraq on July 18 during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone. A second service member sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical treatment.CENTCOM also said it had recovered unidentified remains in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. The military had earlier announced the deaths of two US service members and said one remained missing.“Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two U.S. service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”“Separately, a U.S. service member in northern Iraq was killed in action July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone. A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury.”The command said it was withholding additional information, including the identities of the missing and fallen personnel, until their families had been notified.Meanwhile, CENTCOM said US forces carried out another round of strikes against Iran under President Donald Trump’s direction, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps coastal surveillance networks, air defence systems, maritime assets and missile and drone storage facilities. It said the operation was intended to degrade Iran’s military capabilities, weaken its ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and “swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces” responsible for attacks on American troops in Jordan.CENTCOM also said US forces continued enforcing the naval blockade on Iran. It said six commercial vessels had been redirected and one vessel disabled as of July 19 to ensure “full compliance.”The latest escalation came as the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was investigating reports of an overnight strike on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Iran’s Khuzestan province. The UN nuclear watchdog said the site contained no nuclear material during its last inspection and that the reported attack was not believed to pose any radiological risk.Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation later said US strikes had hit the construction site. Iranian media also reported that the IRGC had downed a US MQ-9 drone over Ahvaz and that fresh US airstrikes struck Qeshm Island.Iran responded by firing missiles and drones toward Jordan, prompting Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain to activate air defence systems. Jordan said it intercepted several missiles without casualties, while Israel warned that Iranian missiles fired toward Jordan’s Aqaba could spill into Israeli territory and said its forces were prepared to “immediately resume combat” if required.Kuwait said one of its power and water desalination plants was attacked for the second time in two days, while the Gulf Cooperation Council accused Iran of targeting civilian infrastructure.The conflict has also intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has declined sharply. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of “unforgettable lessons” if US attacks continue, while Iranian authorities said the latest US strikes killed at least 50 people and wounded 517 others.
