President Donald Trump ordered a new round of U.S. airstrikes against Iran early Sunday, July 19, 2026, in response to an Iranian attack on a U.S.-linked military base in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of at least two American troops and left another missing.

The attack, attributed to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), involved missiles and drones striking a base in Jordan, with media and social media reports indicating the location as Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts American forces. Officials have not officially confirmed the base's identity.

Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the U.S. strikes targeted IRGC forces believed responsible for the assault. The airstrikes hit Iranian coastal surveillance sites, air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage locations. CENTCOM described these actions as the eighth consecutive night of strikes. Military footage showed fighter jets and sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles conducting the attacks, including strikes on a mountainous target site.

According to Pentagon data cited in the report, these deaths mark the first U.S. combat fatalities in the ongoing conflict since March 2026, bringing the total to at least 16 American troops killed and more than 400 wounded since the war began in February.

The report also noted that a “specific and credible threat” led Jordanian authorities to evacuate the airport and seaport in Aqaba. Additionally, Kuwait and Bahrain activated air defenses on Sunday after warnings of incoming Iranian drones and missiles.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented last week that Iran continues to signal interest in a diplomatic deal, describing the country as “suffering devastating blows.” However, it remains unclear how the recent fatalities will impact ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Sources