Two US service members have been killed and another is missing after Iranian missile and drone attacks targeted the region, the Pentagon said, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving American forces since fighting between the United States and Iran intensified.
US Central Command (Centcom) announced on Saturday that the casualties occurred on Friday as American and partner forces responded to a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
According to Centcom, two service members died while defending against the attacks. A third soldier remains missing in action, while four other US personnel were injured and have been evacuated to hospitals in Jordan for treatment.
The military did not release the identities of the casualties or provide details about the circumstances surrounding the missing service member. Search efforts are expected to continue while military officials assess the situation.
The latest attack comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides exchanging military strikes across the region in recent days. The conflict has raised concerns about regional stability and the security of US personnel stationed at military installations throughout the Middle East.
Jordan’s armed forces also confirmed that the country’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 10 Iranian missiles that entered Jordanian airspace during the early hours of Saturday.
According to the Jordan News Agency, a military source at the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces said the interceptions were carried out under established defence procedures aimed at protecting the country’s airspace and ensuring the safety of residents.
Officials did not report any casualties or damage in Jordan resulting from the intercepted missiles.
The coordinated response by Jordan’s air defences highlights the growing security challenges facing countries in the region as hostilities between the United States and Iran continue to expand beyond direct military targets.
The Pentagon has not disclosed where the US troops were stationed when the attack occurred or whether additional military assets are being deployed in response to the incident.
Military analysts say attacks involving ballistic missiles and armed drones have become an increasingly common feature of the conflict, placing US bases and allied facilities across the Middle East on heightened alert.
The deaths are expected to intensify pressure on US military commanders as they continue operations in the region while seeking to protect American personnel and partner forces from further attacks.
Centcom said it remains committed to defending US and allied forces against ongoing threats, while investigations into the attack and efforts to locate the missing service member continue.
