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The United States launched new strikes against Iran after two American service members were killed while repelling Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, the Financial Times reported.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the troops were killed during Iranian attacks targeting US allies in the Gulf region. Another US service member remains missing, while four others received medical treatment in Jordan.
According to CENTCOM, the overnight strikes targeted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to retaliate for the deaths of the American personnel and further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation comes after a ceasefire between the two countries collapsed. Iran has intensified attacks across the Gulf in recent days, including strikes on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Kuwaiti authorities said Iranian attacks hit a power plant and a desalination facility for the second time in two days. The country's air defenses intercepted several drones and ballistic missiles, while Kuwait Airways rescheduled most flights after temporarily closing its airspace. Several firefighters and energy workers were reported injured.
In neighboring Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded as the military said it intercepted incoming attacks. Iran claimed it had targeted a US military base in Bahrain as well as what it described as the kingdom's main artificial intelligence center.
The IRGC warned regional countries hosting US forces that they should prepare for further retaliation if their territory is used for attacks against Iran.
The renewed exchanges have raised fears of a broader regional conflict and further disrupted diplomatic efforts to restore security and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
