Two US service members have been killed and another remains missing following Iranian attacks in Jordan, prompting retaliatory US military strikes against Iranian targets as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East.
The attacks come as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran enters its second week, with military activity intensifying around the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said it launched strikes on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces responsible for attacks on American personnel in Jordan on July 17. According to US Central Command, the operation also targeted Iranian coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites.
The United States has now carried out seven consecutive nights of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump declared that a temporary ceasefire agreement was no longer in effect, describing any commitment from Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as "worthless and invalid."
A statement attributed to Khamenei warned that Iran would deliver "unforgettable lessons" if US attacks continue.
Iran's latest military actions extended beyond Jordan. Kuwait accused Tehran of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a power plant and a water desalination facility. The country briefly closed its airspace after intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. Several firefighters and a worker were reportedly injured while responding to fires caused by the strikes.
Bahrain activated air raid sirens and advised residents to seek shelter after detecting possible incoming drones or missiles. Meanwhile, Jordan's air defense systems reportedly intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at the kingdom.
Iran has said its attacks were carried out in response to US strikes on civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities inside Iran.
The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly condemned Iran's attacks on Kuwait. Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi described the strikes on civilian infrastructure as a serious violation of international law and called for international accountability.
Reports indicate that an oil facility in Kuwait was also targeted, causing injuries and significant material damage, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
Kuwaiti officials condemned the repeated attacks on vital facilities, warning that they threaten civilian lives and regional stability.
Late Friday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed that two oil tankers linked to what it described as "deceptive American intelligence agencies" exploded after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military denied the claim.
The IRGC also announced that it had intercepted four ships attempting to transit the strategic waterway and claimed to have destroyed multiple US aircraft during missile and drone attacks on a US military base in Azraq, Jordan. US officials have not confirmed those claims.
The latest developments mark a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about broader instability across the Middle East and the security of one of the world's most important shipping routes.
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