The United States initiated a new round of airstrikes against Iran early Sunday, a direct response to a recent Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan. The assault in Jordan resulted in the deaths of two American service members and left four others injured, though they have since been discharged from hospitals. One US service member remains missing in action. President Donald Trump authorized the retaliatory operation.
US Strikes Aim to Degrade Shipping Threat
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the strikes were designed to diminish Iran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the operation aimed to punish forces within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deemed responsible for the fatal attack in Jordan.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on the casualties, emphasizing that the sacrifice of the service members would only strengthen Washington's resolve. These fatalities mark the first confirmed US military deaths since the conflict with Iran escalated.
Iranian Response and Escalation Warnings
Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that the US military strikes impacted areas near the southern port cities of Sirik and Hajiabad. Iranian authorities confirmed no casualties from these strikes on their side.
In the wake of the US actions, Iran signaled a potential for further escalation. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a stern warning, stating that the United States would face "unforgettable lessons" from Iran and its allies. Khamenei accused Washington of repeatedly violating an existing memorandum of understanding between the two nations, asserting that President Donald Trump's signature was "utterly worthless and devoid of credibility."
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Intensify
The current hostilities follow the collapse of a ceasefire signed between the US and Iran last month, which broke down after the IRGC targeted ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Commission, echoed the Supreme Leader's warning, suggesting that US troops would "not waste a single second fleeing" if they grasped the implications of the "unforgettable lessons."
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, accused Washington of attempting to gain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Conversely, the US has repeatedly accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping and targeting vessels that bypass Iranian checkpoints in an effort to assert dominance over the vital waterway.