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US strikes Iran after 2 service members killed in Jordan
US strikes Iran after 2 service members killed in Jordan
Wesley Rahn | Mark Hallam | Darko Janjevic with AFP, Reuters, dpa, APPublished 07/18/2026Published July 18, 2026last updated 07/19/2026last updated July 19, 2026The US military struck Iran after two US soldiers were reported killed in an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan. Meanwhile, Kuwait and Bahrain reported fresh Iranian attacks.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HLMiWhat you need to know
- US military strikes Iran for eighth consecutive night
- US Central Command says 2 service members killed in Jordan on Friday in Iranian attack
- Written statement from supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns of reprisals after US attacks
- Pentagon denies Iran's account of two oil tankers exploding near the Strait of Hormuz
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Here's a roundup of Iran war events on the weekend of July 18-19.
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Skip next section Jordan summons Iranian charge d'affaires07/19/2026July 19, 2026Jordan summons Iranian charge d'affaires
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it has summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in Amman over what it called "unjustified and blatant Iranian attacks" and "provocative and inflammatory statements targeting the Kingdom's territory."
It comes as Jordan reported intercepting missiles, just a day after the US said two of its service members were killed in their territory.
Jordan has repeatedly said that it has intercepted Iranian missiles flying over its territory over the last week, having shot several of them down. The missiles did not cause casualties or damage, according to Jordan's military.
The kingdom currently hosts major US bases and relies on US air-defense systems.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HOO1Skip next section Rubio meets with Lebanon's president in Washington07/19/2026July 19, 2026Rubio meets with Lebanon's president in Washington
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed Lebanon's "move towards peace," following a meeting with the country's president Joseph Aoun.
Aoun's visit was the first trip to Washington by a Lebanese head of state since former president Michel Sleiman visited Barack Obama in 2009.
The meeting comes after Israel and Lebanon began US-led negotiations in April aimed at reaching a peace deal and permanently ending the Israel-Hezbollah war.
A framework agreement was reached on June 26, under which the Israeli military is to withdraw from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army is to deploy, starting with two "pilot zones," if the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah operating in Lebanon withdraws, something Hezbollah has rejected.
Rubio said Washington was committed "to supporting the successful implementation of the Trilateral Framework and to backing the Government of Lebanon's efforts to deliver peace, economic recovery, and a better future for the Lebanese people."
He "commended the courage of the Government of Lebanon, under President Aoun's leadership, for their determined effort to reclaim Lebanon's sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, and move towards peace," the State Department said.
Aoun is expected to meet Trump face-to-face on Tuesday, in what would be the first time the two meet.
Aoun's office said last week that in his meeting with Trump he would urge him to "exert the necessary pressure on Israel" to implement the June 26 agreement.
Aoun is expected to present Trump with a written proposal for how to decommission Hezbollah's massive arsenal.
Could US-backed Israel-Lebanon deal lead to civil war?
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HOJlSkip next section UN nuclear watchdog urges restraint amid nuclear plant attack07/19/2026July 19, 2026UN nuclear watchdog urges restraint amid nuclear plant attack
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was investigating reports of an attack on Iran's planned Darkhovin nuclear power plant.
The agency said the Darkhovin nuclear power plant was in the early stages of construction and was found to contain no nuclear material when it was last inspected.
According to a statement carried by Iranian state TV, Tehran's Atomic Energy Organization accused US forces of attacking the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant "in an aggressive and brutal act contrary to international law," and "with a number of projectiles on Sunday."
"While the reported attack is not believed to pose any radiological risk, [IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi] reiterates call for military restraint in the vicinity of all nuclear-related sites," the IAEA said in a post on X.
The agency said it had contacted authorities in Iran to address the situation.
What we know — and don't know — about Iran's nuclear program
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HOJiSkip next section Jordan shoots down Iranian missiles 07/19/2026July 19, 2026Jordan shoots down Iranian missiles
Jordan's military said they shot down three Iranian missiles on Sunday, while another fell in a remote area.
No casualties or damage were reported.
The Israeli military said it and Jordanian forces had identified and intercepted a missile launched from Iran into Jordan towards the southern port city of Aqaba next to the Israeli border, AFP news agency reported, citing a military spokeswoman.
Earlier, Jordanian officials denied reports that it had evacuated Aqaba's seaport and airport, after the US embassy in Jordan issued a statement to that effect, warning of a "credible threat."
Iran war enters perilous new phase for US, Donald Trump
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HOCLSkip next section Iran executes 2 men in connection to January protests 07/19/2026July 19, 2026Iran executes 2 men in connection to January protests
Saim Dušan Inayatullah EditorIran's judiciary said two men were hanged Sunday, accused of killing security forces during protests in January in the in the central city of Isfahan.
An indictment said that the two individuals had "filmed the scene of the killing and transmitted the footage to television channels" abroad.
The statement did not specify dates of their arrest or the trial.
NGOs estimate that thousands of people were killed by Iranian security forcesin the crackdown on the weeks-long protests that peaked in January.
US President Donald Trump had threatened at the time to intervene militarily in Iran if the regime in Tehran executed protesters. He launched a war alongside Israel on February 28, several weeks after the protests had been subdued.
Wartime executions surge in Iran
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HOCBSkip next section Iran says US strikes construction site of nuclear power plant 07/19/2026July 19, 2026Iran says US strikes construction site of nuclear power plant
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said the US attacked the construction site of a nuclear power plant "with a number of projectiles" on Sunday, according to a statement carried by state media.
No further details were provided about possible damage to the site, or if nuclear material is present at the site. The report could not be independently confirmed.
The report said the site is located in Darkhovin in Iran's southwest. Construction of the plant in southwestern Iran's Khuzestan province began in 2022.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said the US would begin attacking Iranian infrastructure, including power plants.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HO2oSkip next section Jordan denies evacuating seaport, airport in Aqaba 07/19/2026July 19, 2026Jordan denies evacuating seaport, airport in Aqaba
The US embassy in Jordan said in a post on X Sunday an international seaport and airport in the southern city of Aqaba were being evacuated over a "specific and credible threat."
"We strongly advise all Americans to refrain [from] travelling to either the airport or seaport. Continue to follow all Jordanian authorities' security directives," the post said, without sharing further details.
However, soon thereafter, Jordanian authorities issued a statement seen by Reuters news agency that no decision had been made to evacuate either port. The port's authority told Reuters that operations were normal.
Aqaba is a Jordanian port city at the northern point of the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HNmuSkip next section Kuwait, Bahrain report fresh Iranian attacks07/19/2026July 19, 2026Kuwait, Bahrain report fresh Iranian attacks
Kuwait's military on Sunday said it was fending off a wave of Iranian strikes for the second day in a row. On Saturday, Iranian missile and drone attacks hit a power plant, a water desalination plant and an oil facility.
"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks," a statement said.
No damage or injuries were initially reported from Sunday's attacks. Kuwait reported injuries among firefighters, military personnel and oil-sector workers on Saturday.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain on Sunday, where air defenses were intercepting an Iranian attack.
"Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the interior ministry said in a statement,
After the US began targeting bridges and power plants in Iran, Tehran has retaliated by striking infrastructure of US Gulf allies over the past several days.
Along with Kuwait and Bahrain, Iran has also threatened to again strike the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What do we know about the deaths of US troops?
Richard Connor EditorOn Saturday evening, US Central Command announced on X that two US service members died on July 17 in Jordan as US and "partner forces defended against Iranian drone and missile attacks." One service member remains "missing in action."
The social media post added that four US service members were injured and taken to hospitals in Jordan but have since been released. Another sustained minor injuries.
Additional information, including the identities of those killed, will be withheld for 24 hours after families of those killed are notified, according to Pentagon protocol.
The Iranian attack targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB) in Jordan's Al Azraq, which has been used as a launch point for US Air Force strikes in Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have targeted US aircraft stationed in Jordan with missiles and drones on Friday, state media reported.
In an another attack early Saturday, the IRGC claims to have destroyed US aircraft in a missile and drone attack on the base in Al Azraq, according to Iranian state media. These claims could not be independently verified.
16 US deaths since war began
Since the Iran war began on February 28, the US military has reported that 16 US service members have been killed, and over 430 wounded.
Six US Army reserve soldiers were killed on March 1 in a strike on an US military operations center located in Kuwait's port of Shuaiba. A US Army sergeant in Saudi Arabia was also wounded in an attack the same day and died several days later.
On March 12, a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing six US service members, although the military said the incident was an accident.
On July 1, a US Navy helicopter pilot died after crashing the Arabian Sea during, which the Navy said was "not caused by hostile action." Three other crew members survived.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HNgdSkip next section US completes eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iran07/19/2026July 19, 2026
US completes eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iran
The US military said it carried out its eighth consecutive night of strikes on Iran.
US forces "successfully hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted to X.
They "also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17."
Two American soldiers were killed, one remains missing and four are injured.
In an earlier statement, US Central Command said the strikes aimed to "swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night."
https://p.dw.com/p/5HNJ8Skip next section Iran army says US bases in Kuwait hit with drones: state TV07/19/2026July 19, 2026
Iran army says US bases in Kuwait hit with drones: state TV
Two US bases in Kuwait were hit with drones in response to US attacks on Iranian territory, Iran's army said on Sunday.
The Islamic Republic's army said it carried out "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones against the US military's ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and the Patriot radar system and air surveillance radar at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait," according to a statement carried by the state broadcaster.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HNJ6Skip next section US military launches new attacks to 'punish' Iran after troops killed in Jordan07/19/2026July 19, 2026US military launches new attacks to 'punish' Iran after troops killed in Jordan
The US military said it was launching new airstrikes on Iran to "swiftly punish" Iran's Revolutionary Guard after deadly attacks on US troops.
"The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night," US Central Command, or CENTCOM, posted on X.
Two American service members were killed in Jordan and another was missing after an Iranian attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HN7hSkip next section Gulf Cooperation Council head blasts Iran's 'war crimes' in region07/18/2026July 18, 2026Gulf Cooperation Council head blasts Iran's 'war crimes' in region
The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has criticized Iranian strikes on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan in a statement on Saturday, including accusing Tehran of war crimes for targeting Kuwaiti infrastructure sites.
"Iran's actions constitute a highly dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as war crimes requiring international accountability and prosecution, given the deliberate targeting of infrastructure and civilian facilities in flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions," GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi said in a statement.
He also accused Iran of demonstrating a "persistent determination to destabilize regional security and stability."
The GCC is made up of six members in the region: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Kuwait has reported attacks on power and water plants on two consecutive days, as well as an oil company reporting injuries and "significant material losses" at one of its facilities.
Kuwait's Foreign Ministry had said targeting such facilities demonstrated "a systematic hostile approach targeting civilian sites and vital infrastructure that endangers the lives and safety of civilians."
The GCC's al-Budaiwi hails from Kuwait.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HMrsSkip next section US military reports casualties in JordanPublished 07/18/2026Published July 18, 2026last updated 07/18/2026last updated July 18, 2026US military reports casualties in Jordan
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said that two US soldiers were killed and one is missing in action after Iranian attacks on Jordan on Friday.
It said it sustained the casualties as US troops and partners forces "defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks."
It did not specify where the attack or attacks took place more specifically.
"Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty." CENTCOM also said.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HMnCSkip next section Khamenei statement concludes with appeal for national unity07/18/2026July 18, 2026Khamenei statement concludes with appeal for national unity
The series of online posts attributed to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appear to have come to a halt.
They culminate with praise for the bravery of the military and of residents in southern areas that have come under fire.
"The valor of the Islamic fighters and the honor of the courageous people in the southern regions in recent days are examples of" the "unforgettable lessons" in store for the US, Khamenei wrote.
The message concluded with an appeal for national unity, saying that the "fundamental imperative" was "upholding the sacred unity throughout all levels of people and officials, and protecting the dignity and independence of our beloved Iran, particularly in the face of the criminal, cunning US enemy."
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