The United States and Iran exchanged another round of military strikes on Saturday, sharply escalating hostilities after two American service members were killed during an Iranian missile and drone attack on US forces in Jordan.
The latest exchange marked the eighth consecutive night of attacks between the two countries, further undermining hopes of reviving a ceasefire that collapsed earlier this month.
According to the US Central Command (Centcom), American forces carried out fresh air strikes targeting Iran’s coastal surveillance systems, air defence facilities and elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused of launching the attack that killed two US troops in Jordan.
Centcom said the strikes were “designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.”
Iranian state media confirmed that Qeshm Island, located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, was among the areas struck.
In retaliation, Iran’s military said it launched drone attacks on two American military installations in Kuwait, including Camp Udairi and Ali Al Salem Air Base. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency described the operation as large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones.
Earlier on Saturday, Centcom confirmed that “Two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as US Central Command (Centcom) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing.”
Reacting to the deaths, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the fallen troops in a post on X, writing: “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
The latest fatalities raised the US military death toll in the conflict to 16 after an American Navy pilot previously reported missing was also declared dead.
Iran’s Health Ministry, meanwhile, said at least 50 people had been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes over the past three weeks.
The renewed fighting comes less than a month after Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary ceasefire agreement, which collapsed after both sides accused each other of violating its terms. The United States has since reinstated its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Both countries have accused each other of targeting civilian infrastructure during the conflict. While Washington insisted its operations were directed solely at military targets and logistics facilities, Iran alleged that bridges and transport infrastructure had been hit. Kuwait also accused Tehran of striking a power plant and a water distillation facility.
International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure unless such facilities are being used for military purposes.
Late on Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, accused Washington of repeatedly violating the failed ceasefire agreement, saying America’s “repeated breaches had laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US president is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
