U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a series of military strikes against targets in Iran on Sunday evening following the deaths of American service members in the region. The operation, which lasted three hours, targeted military command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone launch areas, and maritime infrastructure. CENTCOM stated the strikes were intended to degrade Iranian capabilities used against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The military action followed an announcement earlier Sunday that the remains of a U.S. service member were recovered in Jordan. The individual had been missing since a Friday missile strike on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which killed two other American troops. Additionally, officials reported that a separate service member died Saturday in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed drone.
President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the U.S. strikes were a firm response to the recent casualties and aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He further stated that Iran's military capabilities have been significantly diminished by recent operations. Total U.S. service member fatalities in the ongoing conflict have reached eighteen.
CENTCOM has not yet released the names of the deceased service members pending family notifications. The Friday attack on the air base in Jordan involved at least two ballistic missiles, and another service member was reported wounded with minor injuries from that incident. Global oil prices surpassed $90 per barrel on Sunday as regional military activity continued.