WASHINGTON — The United States launched new airstrikes on Iran on Saturday after the U.S. military reported the deaths of two American service members during Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan, escalating hostilities between the two countries.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest strikes targeted locations intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to respond to attacks carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim reported U.S. strikes on the southern port of Sirik along the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said two U.S. service members were killed Friday while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan. Another service member remains missing. The reported deaths raised the confirmed number of U.S. military fatalities since the conflict began on Feb. 28 to 16.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed retaliation, saying the United States would face “unforgettable lessons” for its continued attacks. Senior military adviser Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei said Iran would resume “full-scale offensive operations” if U.S. strikes continue.
Iran launched attacks on infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain, according to officials in both Gulf states. Bahrain said its air defenses intercepted Iranian attacks, while Kuwait reported damage to an oil facility and a power and water plant.
Iran also carried out strikes in Jordan, where the Jordanian military said it intercepted 10 missiles on Saturday. Iranian state media reported that Tehran targeted a U.S. air base in Bahrain and fuel storage facilities at the Al-Azraq base in Jordan.
The latest escalation follows renewed fighting that began after Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities said U.S. strikes have also hit airports, railway stations, bridges, power facilities and desalination plants.
Iran’s Health Ministry said the renewed conflict has killed 50 people and injured more than 500. Iranian state media also reported that U.S. strikes killed three people and injured eight in Hormozgan province, while officials in Khuzestan province reported eight deaths over the past 10 days.
