WASHINGTON/CAIRO: Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified on Saturday after the US military confirmed that two American service members were killed and another remains missing following an attack in Jordan, while both sides continued exchanging strikes across the region.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the incident occurred on Friday. The latest casualties bring the number of US service members killed since the conflict began to 16, with more than 420 others reported wounded.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the fallen troops, writing on X that their sacrifice “only stiffens our resolve.”
The latest developments come after an interim ceasefire agreement reached a month ago reportedly collapsed last week, prompting renewed military operations by both Washington and Tehran and raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, accused the United States of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement and warned that Washington would face the consequences of escalating the conflict. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, he said the US had demonstrated that its commitments were “devoid of credibility” and vowed that Iran and its allies would respond.
The US military said it completed a seventh consecutive day of strikes targeting Iranian surveillance facilities, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage sites and maritime capabilities.
Meanwhile, Iran claimed it launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Iranian state media also claimed that several US aircraft were destroyed during an attack on Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan.
However, Reuters said it could not independently verify these Iranian claims.
In Kuwait, authorities reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones while confirming that one oil facility sustained significant damage and several emergency responders and oil sector workers were injured.
Saudi Arabia also issued emergency alerts in the cities of Al-Kharj and Yanbu, urging residents to seek shelter. Although sources cited by Reuters said the warnings followed an Iranian missile attack, Saudi officials did not confirm the cause, and Iran made no public claim of responsibility.
Inside Iran, state television reported that US airstrikes in Hormozgan province killed three people, wounded eight others and damaged bridges and a road tunnel. Additional strikes were reported later in the day.
Iran’s Health Ministry said 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes over the past three weeks.
The conflict has also increased concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Both Washington and Tehran have accused each other of threatening maritime traffic in the region.
A maritime security advisory from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also reported an incident involving a merchant vessel and military forces off the coast of Oman, though no further details were provided.
Global energy markets reacted to the escalating tensions, with oil prices rising more than 4% on Friday amid fears of supply disruptions and broader economic consequences.
