Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Jordan and Kuwait on July 17, including the Al Azrak base in Jordan, killing two US soldiers and leaving one missing, according to US and regional officials [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Iran claimed the strikes targeted US ammo depots, command centers, and fuel storage at Al Azrak [2].

The attacks followed months of escalating hostilities. Since late February 2026, the US has reported at least 18 military deaths and over 420 personnel wounded in the conflict with Iran, with costs reaching $37.5 billion by July [1, 6, 7]. On July 18, a US soldier died during an operation against a downed Iranian explosive drone in northern Iraq [6].

In response to the July 17 attacks, US Central Command confirmed a series of air strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance sites, missile storage facilities, air defenses, and Revolutionary Guard forces implicated in attacks on US personnel [1, 3, 8, 5]. By July 18, the US had conducted eight consecutive nights of raids [1, 3, 5]. US Defense Secretary Hegseth said the "sacrifices" of fallen soldiers strengthen US resolve [1].

Israel and Jordan intercepted several Iranian missiles aimed at Jordanian territory, including near Aqaba, on July 18-19. Jordan denied reports of evacuations and stated Aqaba airport and port were operating normally [9].

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned a full-scale offensive could resume if US strikes continue. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei condemned US violations of the ceasefire, calling American commitments "worthless and ineffective" [3, 4, 5].

US President Donald Trump warned Iran on July 22 that any attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would prompt US missile strikes on Iranian bridges or power plants near Tehran. Trump declared, "We are far from finished... we will not withdraw now" [10, 7, 11].

US State Department issued a rare global travel warning on July 18 urging Americans worldwide to be alert for possible Iranian attacks beyond the Middle East [5]. Meanwhile, US intelligence is investigating possible Russian assistance to Iran in targeting CIA facilities in the Gulf, but no confirmation has yet emerged [12].

The conflict remains intense following these recent escalations. The US continues military operations in the region with no withdrawal scheduled.