By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-07-19 05:15:42 | Updated at 2026-07-19 14:39:25
9 hours ago
Donald Trump ordered fresh strikes on Iran to "swiftly punish" Tehran after two US service members were killed in an attack on an American military base in Jordan.
American forces carried out operations against the Islamic Republic for an eighth consecutive night on Saturday following the deadly missile and drone assault earlier in the week.
US Central Command said the troops were killed on July 17 while defending the installation from Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
A third service member remains missing following the attack, while four others who sustained injuries have since been released from medical care.
The fatalities are the first American deaths caused by direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the conflict and bring the total number of US personnel killed in the war to 16.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the fallen troops on social media, writing: "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."
President Trump ordered fresh military action on Saturday evening to "swiftly punish" the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attack on American personnel.
US Central Command said the operations concluded on Sunday morning.
President Trump ordered fresh military action on Saturday evening to 'swiftly punish' the IRGC
X/CENTCOM
The strikes targeted Iranian coastal surveillance installations, air defence systems, maritime assets and storage facilities for missiles and drones.
Iranian media reported that Sirik, a southern port close to the Strait of Hormuz, was among the locations hit.
Tehran retaliated on Sunday morning by announcing drone attacks against two American military installations in Kuwait.
Iran's military claimed responsibility for "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones" targeting an ammunition storage facility at Camp Udairi.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the fallen troops on social media
It also said Patriot radar equipment and air surveillance systems at Ali Al Salem Air Base had been attacked, according to state media.
The latest escalation came after Mr Trump declared a temporary ceasefire arrangement between Washington and Tehran to be over.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a rare public statement on Saturday accusing the US President of breaching a memorandum of understanding signed the previous month.
The agreement had been intended to establish a framework for a permanent peace deal.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei accused the US President of breaching the memorandum of understanding signed last month
"The violation of the repeated promises of the Great Satan regarding the memorandum of understanding signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States once again proved to everyone the truth that the signature of the US president is worthless," Khamenei said, according to the Tasnim news agency.
The agreement collapsed amid disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran sought authority over navigation and passage fees for oil tankers, while Mr Trump insisted on unrestricted access through the strategically vital waterway.
At least 8,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since fighting erupted in February, with tens of thousands more wounded.
Lebanon and Iran have suffered the greatest number of casualties.
Iranian missiles struck several Gulf states on Saturday, hitting targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait, which hosts seven American military facilities, said a water desalination plant had been attacked for a second consecutive day.
Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Co-operation Council, accused Tehran of committing war crimes by striking the facility, which provides vital drinking water.
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Aoun left Beirut for Washington on Saturday in the first visit by a Lebanese head of state since 2009.
He is expected to discuss strengthening ceasefire arrangements and securing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
