First US Troops Killed in Direct Iranian Attack; 2 Dead, 1 Missing

"Killed while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan"

Two U.S. service members were killed and one remains missing after an Iranian missile and drone attack, the first reported U.S. deaths from a direct Iranian strike since the Iran war began.

U.S. Central Command said on July 18 that the two troops stationed in Jordan were killed on July 17 while U.S. and allied forces were defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. One additional service member remains missing.

The command did not disclose the exact location. The strike is believed to have hit a U.S. air base in Jordan. DPA reported that Jordan's main U.S. military base is in Azraq, about 100 kilometers northeast of the capital, Amman.

The U.S. had carried out airstrikes on Iranian military facilities around the Strait of Hormuz for seven consecutive days through July 17. Iran responded by attacking U.S. bases in other Middle Eastern countries allied with Washington, including Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

It was the first U.S. troop death from a direct Iranian military attack since the war began in February. The Associated Press reported that 16 U.S. troops had been killed and more than 430 wounded since the conflict broke out on Feb. 28.

It was also the first time U.S. troops had been killed since a ceasefire collapsed after a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran expired. That agreement ended after Iranian forces attacked civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on July 7. Fighting between the two sides has intensified since then.

The deaths could add pressure on President Donald Trump, who has ordered airstrikes on Iran, as anti-war sentiment remains strong in the U.S. They could also prompt Trump to intensify the U.S. air campaign against Iran in retaliation.

Central Command said four other U.S. troops were taken to hospitals in Jordan and later discharged. Other soldiers found to have minor injuries have already returned to duty. The command added that it would withhold further details, including the identities of the dead, until 24 hours after their families have been notified out of respect for next of kin.

Park Su-bin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com