The Pentagon has identified two U.S. service members killed in an Iranian attack on an air base in Jordan as 1st Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19. Their deaths, confirmed Monday, mark the first American military casualties from the conflict with Iran since March, bringing the total U.S. death toll to 17.
Feehan, of Hawaii, died Saturday, and Gonzales, from Texas, died Friday. The attack occurred on Friday at an American air base in Jordan. Central Command is also investigating whether remains found near the base belong to a fourth service member who was reported missing.
Separately, a third U.S. soldier died Saturday in northern Iraq during the detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone. The identity of this soldier has not yet been released by the Pentagon.
In response to the escalating attacks, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. had "hit them very hard again" in a fresh wave of strikes aimed at avenging the fallen soldiers. The U.S. has now launched its ninth consecutive series of retaliatory strikes against Iran.
Iran responded Monday morning by launching suicide drones targeting critical infrastructure in Kuwait, according to the Kuwaiti military.
The U.S. military's ongoing operations aim to cripple Iran's capacity to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway responsible for approximately one-fifth of global oil transport. Fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified last week after the U.S. accused Iran of violating a Memorandum of Understanding by attacking oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
The U.S. Navy has also taken action, reimposing a blockade on Iranian ports and seizing several Iranian vessels. One American official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the U.S. is preparing for a potentially wider conflict and that the Pentagon is increasing its aircraft presence in the region.
However, the official cautioned that the scope of the expanded operation could be limited due to declining U.S. stocks of air-defense and long-range weaponry, as well as battle damage restricting the deployment of additional troops and aircraft to the region.
President Trump previously described the deaths of the two troops as "a very sad thing." He also stated in a television interview on Sunday that he was unconcerned about Iran's potential non-adherence to a peace agreement signed last month.
