Anthony ThompsonUSA TODAY
July 18, 2026, 7:42 p.m. ET
The United States launched a new round of airstrikes <a href="https://absafricatv.com/ethiopians-march-against-alleged-forced-mobilisation-in-tigray/” title=”Ethiopians march against alleged forced mobilisation in Tigray”>against Iran on July 18, escalating an already widening military campaign across the Middle East after two American service members were killed in a recent attack in Jordan.
In a July 18 post on X, U.S. Central Command said American forces began conducting strikes at 6 p.m. ET “at the Commander in Chief’s direction.” The military said the operation is intended to further weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and “swiftly punish” Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against U.S. service members in Jordan the previous night.
Before the strikes, Iran’s supreme leader said Washington would pay for “seeking to escalate the conflict,” Reuters reported July 18.
Two U.S. troops killed, 1 missing in Jordan attack
Earlier Saturday, CENTCOM said Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck U.S. and partner forces in Jordan on July 17, killing two American service members and leaving another missing.
Four additional U.S. service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan but have since been discharged, while others treated for minor injuries have returned to duty, the military said.
CENTCOM said it is withholding the identities of the deceased and missing service members until at least 24 hours after their families have been notified.
In the wake of the soldiers’ deaths, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth posted July 18 on X: “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
Airstrikes target Iran’s military capabilities
The latest operation continues the U.S. military campaign targeting Iranian military assets that officials say threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
CENTCOM has said previous strikes focused on degrading Iran’s military capabilities and protecting commercial vessels operating in the region.
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, previously said the campaign is designed to protect civilian sailors and hold Iran accountable for attacks that have killed, injured and left civilian crew members missing.
Regional conflict continues to expand
The latest U.S. strikes came as Iran launched additional attacks against American allies in the region.
Iran targeted Kuwait with ballistic missiles and drones, striking military-linked facilities and critical infrastructure. Kuwaiti officials said air defenses intercepted several incoming threats, though some attacks damaged facilities and injured firefighters and oil sector workers responding to the strikes.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted what it described as U.S. military support sites in Kuwait in retaliation for ongoing American operations and warned that additional attacks against U.S. allies could follow.
President Donald Trump has defended the expanded military campaign, saying U.S. strikes will continue until Iran agrees to conditions intended to ensure regional security and freedom of navigation. Iranian leaders have vowed to continue resisting U.S. military pressure, signaling the conflict is unlikely to ease in the near future.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
