Ekhbary News Agency
Amman — The U.S. military launched a series of airstrikes against Iran over the weekend, escalating tensions after confirming the deaths of three additional American service members since Friday. These retaliatory actions mark the ninth consecutive day of bombings, following the breakdown of peace talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Casualties and Retaliation
U.S. Central Command reported one service member died during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Furthermore, unidentified remains were recovered at a Jordanian base where two personnel were killed in an Iranian strike last Friday. The Department of Defense identified these two as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas, both killed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. President Trump stated the recent strikes were "in honor" of the fallen, remarking, "We hit them very hard again tonight." The conflict has now claimed 17 U.S. military lives, while Iran asserts approximately 3,000 Iranians, including 168 children, have died since the war's onset.
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Regional Impact and Unconfirmed Reports
Iran continued its counter-attacks Monday, targeting bridges and electrical infrastructure in a southern province near the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Tehran had struck electricity installations and water desalination plants in Kuwait, a host to a significant U.S. military presence, and Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Early Monday, Iran also claimed its missiles hit several Iranian cities, though details on casualties remain undisclosed. The British military reported a ship burning near the Omani coastline, its targeting by Iran unclear. Oil prices, for what it's worth, surged past $90 per barrel. In Jordan, Iran alleged its missiles damaged U.S. transport aircraft at Aqaba's international airport; however, this claim lacks independent confirmation. Despite initial denials from Jordan regarding threats, Iranian missiles reportedly struck shortly after. This small kingdom, a crucial regional partner, subtly hosts a substantial U.S. military presence, which has seen increased air defense assets since the conflict began.
