Middle East latest: Donald Trump warns Iran ‘will pay’ for slain US troops Tyler Freehan and Isabella Gonzales
Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran after two US service members were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a military base in Jordan.
Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran after two US soldiers were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a military base in Jordan.
The Pentagon identified the fallen service members on Monday local time as Lieutenant Tyler James Freehan, 25, of Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas.
The pair were killed during attacks on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base on Friday while supporting the US mission against the Islamic State group.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Their deaths are the first confirmed US military fatalities from direct Iranian fire since the latest conflict began and bring the total number of American service members killed during the war to 17.
In a post announcing the death of the two soldiers, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a third service member remains missing as investigators examine unidentified remains recovered from the attack site.
“After a thorough search, US military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing,” it said in a post on X.
Reacting to the attack, the US President promised a forceful response.
“Every time Ian kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Cain, and every Leader in the Military.”
The warning comes as the US and Iran are locked in a severe military escalation over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday afternoon local time, CENTCOM revealed it had launched another wave of strikes on Iran to “degrade” its “military capabilities.
“US forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the command wrote on X.
“The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Houthis rebels in Yemen declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The move, which could threaten international energy supplies, comes after a ceasefire deal established in 2022 between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia collapsed in recent weeks.
