DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Iran on Sunday as a response to an attack on a base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of two American service members, one missing, and injuries to four others. The strikes were aimed at swiftly punishing Iran's Revolutionary Guard and were intended to degrade Iran's capability to hinder oil tanker traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which processes approximately 20% of global oil supplies. Following the onset of the conflict on February 28, Iran had effectively closed the strait to shipping.
The airstrikes were announced following the U.S. military's report of its first troop fatalities resulting from direct Iranian attacks since the war began. These casualties arose from a drone and missile strike on a base in Jordan on Friday. Though the identities of the deceased have not been revealed, U.S. Central Command has acknowledged that a total of 16 American service members have died and over 430 have sustained injuries during the course of the conflict.
Targeted Strikes in Iran
The U.S. targeted areas near Sirik, on the Strait of Hormuz, around 1:30 a.m. local time. According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, explosions were also reported near Hajiabad and Bandar Abbas. Furthermore, strikes were noted near Qeshm Island, which lies within the strait. Iranian state media reported damage from U.S. airstrikes to an electricity and desalination facility in Hormozgan, as well as to tunnels and bridges, disrupting a critical highway to Bandar Abbas, Iran's principal port.
Former President Donald Trump has previously threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, including power stations and bridges, to compel Iran to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. In conjunction, the U.S. has reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports, aiming to halt the shipment of crude oil, and has reportedly redirected five vessels while disabling another.
Iranian authorities claimed that U.S. strikes over the last three weeks have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people and injured over 500, with eight fatalities reported in a recent strike on a bridge.
Iraq's Kurdish Region Engaged
On Sunday morning, a drone strike targeted a base of the Kurdistan Freedom Party, an Iranian Kurdish dissident group, near Irbil in Iraq, resulting in eight injuries among its members. Residents of Irbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, also reported multiple explosions from air defenses. The area has experienced drone attacks coinciding with a visit by Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to Washington, amidst the ongoing escalation between the U.S. and Iran.
While no groups have claimed responsibility for the attacks, both Iranian and Iran-backed Iraqi militias have historically launched attacks in the Kurdish region, home to U.S. troops and armed Kurdish Iranian dissidents.
Warnings from Iran's Leadership
Minutes before the U.S. military reported troop fatalities, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a warning against continued U.S. attacks, suggesting that they would yield "unforgettable lessons." In his remarks broadcasted on state television, Khamenei dismissed Trump’s leadership as “worthless and invalid.” An Iranian negotiator stated that Tehran was suspending its commitments to a recently signed interim deal aimed at halting the ongoing conflict.
These statements have aggravated an already fragile situation, with the war showing no signs of resolution. Khamenei conveyed a message not only about Iran's response but also that of its armed proxies in the region, collectively referred to as the "Axis of Resistance." The U.S. has since issued a global travel alert due to rising tensions.
The conflict's central focus remains on the Strait of Hormuz, with escalating military actions threatening not only military personnel but also civilian infrastructure, including vital desalination plants that provide drinking water. The global economy is once again on heightened alert due to the situation.
Iran has accused the U.S. of violating its commitments under the previous deal, claiming it is no longer implementing its terms. Neither party has provided updates regarding mediation attempts to resolve the conflict.
Increasing Threats to U.S. Troops
U.S. soldiers face heightened risks, with the most recent reported death being that of a helicopter pilot in the Arabian Sea earlier this month. Historical incidents include earlier strikes resulting in fatalities of U.S. service members from Iranian drone attacks. Notably, an airstrike on a command center in Kuwait killed several soldiers.
Recent Iranian strikes in Kuwait resulted in damage to a water desalination plant and an oil facility, further complicating matters in a nation reliant on desalination for 90% of its drinking water supply. The strikes caused fires at the plant, prompting the closure of several power generation units.
Kuwait's authorities confirmed that air defense systems successfully intercepted Iranian missiles, while air alerts were activated multiple times in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as tensions showed no signs of abating. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council publicly condemned Iran for what he termed war crimes against infrastructure and civilian targets.
