OAN Staff Addie Davis
Sunday, July 19, 2026
UPDATE: 2:04 PM: United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the same location in Jordan where Iranian attacks left two U.S. service members dead and one missing.
“Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two U.S. service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17,” CENTCOM said in a Sunday statement.
“After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing,” the command continued.
As is customary, CENTCOM said it was withholding additional information to respect the families of the fallen service members during the notification process.
In response to Iran’s Friday attack, CENTCOM said it launched another wave of strikes on Saturday to “punish” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and diminish Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz.
8:52 AM: In its eighth consecutive night of strikes against the Islamic Republic, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it completed another round of attacks meant to “punish” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after the deaths of two U.S. service members, as well as to weaken Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM announced in a Saturday statement that its forces struck a number of military sites and capabilities, including IRGC forces, during its more than five-hour attack wave.
“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,” the command stated in a Saturday X post.
According to CENTCOM, the service members were facing Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks when they were killed in Jordan. Other American military personnel were injured, including four who were hospitalized and later discharged. One service member remains missing.
Saturday night’s strikes began at 6:00 p.m. ET and were completed at 11:30 p.m., with American forces successfully striking “Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites,” CENTCOM said. The command further stated that the U.S. targeted the IRGC in response to the Friday attack.
“American military assets also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against U.S. service members in Jordan on July 17,” CENTCOM continued. “More than 50,000 U.S. men and women in uniform are operating across the Middle East. They remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal and ready.”
President Donald Trump, who directed Saturday night’s strikes, lamented the loss of the troops in interviews with the media, reiterating the goal of the conflict.
“It’s a very sad thing. We hate to see it happen. It’s in service to our country…we’re never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the commander-in-chief said during a phone call with NewsNation.
Many lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, offered prayers for the families of the fallen service members.
“Praying for the loved ones of these brave fallen American heroes, for the swift recovery of those injured, and for the safe return of the missing service member. May God bless our brave men and women in uniform,” said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.).
“I’m heartbroken to learn of the deaths of 2 US service members in Jordan. I’m praying for their families, and the families of all those missing and injured. May their memories be a blessing,” stated Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Other members of Congress commented on the news by voicing criticism of the conflict with Iran.
“Trump started a stupid war, with no plan to get us out of it. Now our men and women in uniform are paying for it,” said U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
However, other lawmakers called for retribution.
“My prayers are with our troops killed and missing in action. May God bring comfort to their families. President Trump is right to unleash hell on their killers. Additional strikes will protect Americans and weaken Iran’s ability to hold the Strait hostage,” posted U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the troops’ “sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
According to media reports, 16 U.S. service members have died since the start of the conflict with Iran.
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