Two United States service members have been killed and one remains missing after Iranian-backed forces launched a deadly strike on a US military position in Jordan, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The attack represents one of the most serious escalations in hostilities between American forces and Iran-aligned groups since tensions in the Middle East surged following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
CENTCOM released a statement confirming the casualties but provided limited details regarding the specific location of the base or the identity of the troops involved, citing operational security concerns. The strike is believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militia groups that have repeatedly targeted US military installations across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan in recent months. Officials are continuing to search for the missing service member, and the full extent of injuries among other personnel has not yet been disclosed.
The attack marks a significant and deadly new chapter in what has been an ongoing campaign of drone and rocket strikes against US positions in the region. Since October 7, American forces have faced over 150 attacks from Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East. While previous strikes resulted in injuries, this latest assault is among the first to claim American lives, dramatically raising the stakes for the Biden administration and increasing pressure on Washington to respond decisively.
US officials have squarely blamed Iran for enabling and directing the militia groups responsible for the assault. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated that the US holds Iran accountable for the actions of its proxies and that Washington would respond at a time and place of its choosing. The incident is expected to trigger urgent debate in Congress and the White House over the scope of US military engagement in the region, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle calling for a strong and measured response to deter further attacks on American personnel.