The United States (US) launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran on Saturday in retaliation for an attack that killed two American soldiers in Jordan, while another service member remains missing.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began at 6pm local time under the direction of US President Donald Trump in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while delivering a swift response against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington accused of carrying out the attack on US troops in Jordan the previous night.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the latest operation was intended to further degrade Iran’s military capabilities and protect vital international shipping routes, while holding the IRGC accountable for the deadly assault on American personnel.
The renewed military action comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire agreement reached about a month ago. The latest developments have heightened concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
Earlier, the US military confirmed that two of its personnel were killed and another remains missing after the attack in Jordan. The incident brings the total number of US service members killed since the current conflict began to 16.
