Two US troops dead and another missing after Iran launches missile attacks in Jordan
Two US troops have been killed while another remains missing after Iran launched ballistic missiles on a military base in Jordan.
Following the attacks on Friday, four other US soldiers were sent to Jordanian hospitals where they were assessed and later discharged, the US Central Command said.
The deaths of the US soldiers are the first caused by direct Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict across the Middle East.
Jordan, which is home to a number of US troops, has been targeted in a series of air strikes since March as Tehran continues to retaliate against American and Israeli attacks, with the latest taking place on Friday.
Today, a statement from the US Central Command said: "On July 17, two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (Centcom) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.
"Additionally, one service member is currently missing. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals.
"They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.
"Out of respect for the families, Centcom will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified."
Jordan's state broadcaster confirmed that the Kingdom had shot down Iranian missiles earlier today.
The number of US soldiers killed throughout the ongoing conflict has now reached 16, while more than 430 US service personnel have been left wounded.
Iran launched its latest fightback across the Gulf as it retaliated against American missile strikes over the past week.
American forces struck key targets across southern Iran on Friday as Tehran retaliated with attacks on US military bases across the Middle East, marking a seventh consecutive night of hostilities.
Iranian state media reported the overnight bombardment hit at least five bridges, an airport, a surveillance tower and a vessel.
Tehran responded by launching retaliatory strikes against American military installations across the Middle East, targeting bases in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as a radar facility in Oman.
Later on Friday, the Revolutionary Guard's naval forces "targeted" a Thai-flagged vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran's state news agency reported.
Iran's health ministry said at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 wounded since hostilities resumed last week.
Friday's strikes alone claimed seven lives, according to Iranian state media.
Speaking to US media after several nights of strikes on the Islamic Republic, Mr Trump warned: "We're going to hit them very hard tonight and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow - and there's not a damn thing they can do about it.
"They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths... I got to know them, and they're stone cold crazy," he told Salem News.
He added: "These people are crazy... To them, deals are made to be broken. They are extremely unreliable people - and, frankly, if they ever had a nuclear weapon they'd use it within one day."