News Desk

The United States has launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran following a deadly missile and drone attack on American forces stationed in Jordan, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes began at 2200 GMT on July 18 and were aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities while responding to the deaths of US service members in the region.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the operation was “designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.”

Iranian media outlets Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency reported that US forces targeted Sirik, a strategically located port on the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. The reports did not immediately provide details regarding casualties or the extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

The latest military action comes after CENTCOM confirmed earlier on Saturday that two American service members were killed and one remains missing following what it described as Iranian missile and drone attacks against US forces in Jordan on July 17. The incident represents the first reported US military fatalities since hostilities between the United States and Iran resumed on July 7.

US officials have accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of directing or supporting attacks on American personnel and regional security interests. Washington has repeatedly stated that it will respond decisively to any assault on US forces deployed in the Middle East.

The Strait of Hormuz, where the reported US strikes took place, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with roughly a fifth of global oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway. Any disruption in the area has the potential to affect global energy markets and international shipping.

The renewed exchange of military strikes has raised concerns among regional observers about the possibility of a broader conflict. Analysts warn that continued retaliation by either side could further destabilize the Middle East and increase risks to commercial navigation in the Gulf.

Neither Iranian authorities nor the US Department of Defense immediately released additional operational details beyond the initial announcements. It also remains unclear whether further military action is planned.

The latest developments underscore the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region, as both Washington and Tehran appear to be intensifying their military responses amid a widening confrontation. International observers are closely monitoring the situation amid growing fears that the conflict could expand beyond its current scope if diplomatic efforts fail to contain the escalating violence.