The United States military launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran on Saturday, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and aiming to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. These actions followed an Iranian attack on Muwawffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan that killed two U.S. service members, injured at least four, and left one missing.
The airstrikes commenced at 6 p.m. ET, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM stated the attacks were intended as swift punishment for the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In response to the deaths, the Pentagon deployed additional fighter jets to the Middle East. F-16s were dispatched from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, and F-35 stealth fighter jets were en route from a U.S. Air Base in Britain, The Wall Street Journal reported. Refueling planes had also been sent to the region in recent days.
President Trump commented on the incident Saturday, calling the deaths "very sad" and "in service to our country." He also stated that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon and expressed indifference to Iran's announcement of exiting a Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations.