The United States launched another round of military strikes on Iran early Sunday, escalating tensions after two American soldiers were killed during an Iranian missile and drone attack on a US position in Jordan. The operation marked the eighth straight night of US strikes against Iranian-linked targets.

According to the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest action was ordered by US President Donald Trump and targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

CENTCOM says strikes aimed at IRGC targets

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the strikes were launched to “swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night.”

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The US military added that the operation was “designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” a strategically important global oil transit route.

Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that two American service members were killed on Friday while “defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.” It also said one US service member remains missing in action.

The military further stated that four injured personnel were evacuated to hospitals in Jordan before being discharged, while others with minor injuries have already returned to duty.

Fighting intensifies despite previous peace deal

The latest strikes come as hostilities between Washington and Tehran continue despite a preliminary agreement signed last month.

The two countries had signed a 14-point deal on June 17, with Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian agreeing to halt military operations and work towards a final settlement within 60 days.

However, Trump declared the agreement “over” on July 8. Iran later suspended the memorandum of understanding, accusing Washington of violating its commitments.

The US has accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has continued targeting American military facilities across the Gulf region.

Iranian state media also reported that fuel storage tanks at the US base in Al-Azraq, Jordan, were targeted. A day earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on US aircraft stationed in Jordan.

Mojtaba Khamenei issues fresh warning

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei after his death in the February 28 strikes, strongly criticised Washington.

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“The repeated breaches of the agreement by the Great Satan [the US] regarding the MOU signed by the Presidents of Iran and the US have once again laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US President is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility,” Mojtaba Khamenei posted on X.

He also warned, “Now that the American enemy is seeking to escalate the conflict thereby incurring even heavier costs and further humiliation, it should know that the noble nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons in store for it.”

Meanwhile, his senior military adviser, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, said Iran would resume “full-scale offensive operations” if US strikes continue in the coming days, adding that the country would no longer restrict itself to retaliatory, like-for-like responses.

FAQs:

Why did the US launch fresh strikes on Iran?

The US said it targeted IRGC forces after two American troops were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a US position in Jordan.

Why were US troops stationed in Jordan attacked

According to the US and Iran, the attack was part of the escalating US-Iran conflict, with both sides exchanging strikes after their peace deal collapsed.