Iran Strikes U.S. Forces in Jordan and Gulf States as Tensions Escalate

Two U.S. service members were killed and another remains missing after an Iranian attack in Jordan, U.S. Central Command said Saturday, as Iran expanded its strikes on American and allied targets across the Middle East. The deaths occurred on Friday, bringing the total number of U.S. personnel killed since the conflict began to 16, with more than 420 wounded, according to U.S. military officials.

The escalation comes as both the U.S. and Iran have intensified attacks following the collapse of an interim ceasefire deal last week, fueling concerns of a broader war and further disruption to global energy supplies.

The conflict began when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in an effort to disable its missile program and regional proxies, leading to heightened tensions, energy market volatility, and a contest for control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Strikes Across the Region

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Saturday, including strikes on a U.S. military support center at Kuwait’s Camp Arifjan and the destruction of a radar facility at Ali Al Salem Air Base. Kuwait’s armed forces reported intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, with injuries among firefighters and oil sector workers responding to the attacks. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said one of its oil facilities suffered significant damage and injuries in repeated Iranian attacks, according to the state news agency.

Iranian state TV reported that the IRGC also targeted a site in Bahrain where U.S. combat aircraft were stationed at Sheikh Isa Air Base, as well as an intelligence data center. In Jordan, Iranian media said at least two U.S. fighter aircraft and three other aircraft were destroyed during a missile and drone attack on the U.S. base in Al Azraq. Reuters noted it could not independently verify these claims.

Saudi Arabia’s early warning system issued alerts for residents of Al-Kharj and Yanbu to seek shelter, following what two sources described as an Iranian missile attack—the first on Saudi territory in over three months. Saudi state media did not confirm the cause of the alerts, and the IRGC did not mention any attack on Saudi Arabia.

U.S. and Iranian Military Actions

U.S. Central Command stated that American forces struck Iranian surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. Iranian state TV reported that U.S. airstrikes in southern Hormozgan province killed three people, wounded eight, and damaged two bridges and a road tunnel. Additional U.S. strikes were reported in the province later Saturday, though no civilian casualties were noted by provincial authorities.

Iran’s Health Ministry said 50 people had been killed and more than 500 wounded in U.S. strikes over the past three weeks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the U.S. of seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

"Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. War Secretary

Both the U.S. and Iran have targeted shipping in the region. The U.S. claims it is enforcing a naval blockade, while Iran says it is acting against vessels violating its navigation rules in the strait. The European Union and Gulf states issued a joint statement, reported by Saudi state TV, urging Iran to halt attacks and interference with maritime navigation and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without conditions or fees.

Political Fallout and Energy Impact

Oil prices surged more than 4% on Friday to their highest level in over a month, intensifying political pressure on President Donald Trump as his Republican Party seeks to maintain control in upcoming congressional elections. Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in a statement on official social media and state media, accused the U.S. of escalating the conflict and warned of further consequences for Washington, calling President Trump’s commitments "utterly worthless and devoid of credibility."

Saudi officials did not respond to requests for comment on the missile alerts, and the IRGC did not address reports of attacks on Saudi Arabia. A merchant vessel and military forces were involved in an incident off Oman, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, though details were not provided.