Two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan, with one missing, amid escalating conflict as Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced the suspension of its peace agreement commitments. This development, met with indifference by President Donald Trump and threats of ‘unforgettable lessons’ from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, marks a critical unraveling of regional stability. New U.S. airstrikes and a naval blockade, coupled with Iranian counter-actions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, have sent oil prices surging dramatically, highlighting the severe economic and security fallout.
A severe escalation in Middle East tensions unfolded as the U.S. military confirmed two American service members were killed in action in Jordan on Friday, with one still missing. These casualties occurred amidst intense Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, prompting U.S. Central Command (Centcom) and allied forces to defend vigorously.
A woman walks past images of Iran's current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (R) and his predecessors: his slain father Ali Khamenei (L) and the late Ruhollah Khomeini (2nd-L) while on the way to the Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 5, 2026, for the funeral ceremonies of Ali Khamenei. Ozan Kose | Afp | Getty Images
In immediate response, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized fresh airstrikes, commencing at 6 p.m. ET, explicitly aimed at "degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz" and to "punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night," as reported by Centcom.
The grim news of American fatalities coincided with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declaring the country's suspension of commitments to a memorandum of understanding signed last month with the U.S. This decision came after American forces completed a seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran. Gharibabadi asserted, "The United States has violated and suspended all of its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding... We have also suspended our commitments; we are not implementing them and are busy defending our country."
When questioned about Iran's decision to disregard the interim peace agreement, President Trump reportedly told a NewsNation reporter, "I couldn't care less." The fragile truce, intended to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and halt regional conflict, has now visibly unraveled amid reciprocal airstrikes.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a stark warning, stating the country has "unforgettable lessons in store" for the U.S. "Now that the American enemy seeks to ignite war and endure heavier costs, it should know that the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front have #unforgettable_lessons in store for it," read a message from Khamenei posted on X by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. Khamenei further criticized Trump, calling his signature on the memorandum of understanding "utterly worthless and devoid of credibility." The White House did not immediately comment.
U.S. death toll rises to 16 killed in action
The two service member fatalities in Jordan bring the total U.S. military death toll to 16 since the conflict with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran commenced on February 28. President Trump, in a phone interview with NewsNation, expressed his sorrow, calling the deaths "very sad, it's a very sad thing... It's in service to our country." He reiterated his unwavering pledge that the U.S. would "never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded to the deaths on X, declaring, "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."
Earlier, Centcom announced the conclusion of a seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting "military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities." Centcom also stated it continued to enforce a naval blockade against Iranian ports, having redirected four commercial vessels, disabled one, and boarded another in recent days, according to a separate statement.
Struggle for the Strait of Hormuz
In a direct challenge to U.S. naval operations, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had blocked four vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. protection. "In a coordinated missile and drone operation, all four were halted and immobilized at sea," Iran's IRNA News Agency quoted the IRGC Navy Command as saying.
Regional targets also faced renewed attacks. Kuwait reported its air defenses were "responding to hostile drone threats" and an Iranian attack on its power and water distillation station caused a fire, though no casualties were reported, as per Kuwait News Agency. This marked the second attack on Kuwait's water infrastructure in two days. Kuwait Airways rescheduled most of its flights, citing "hostile missile and drone attacks following the Iranian aggression." Neighboring Bahrain's government also confirmed its air defense systems intercepted several Iranian projectiles, triggering sirens across the nation. Iran previously claimed it targeted U.S. military forces in Syria and Bahrain on Friday.
'Winning big in Iran'
Despite the escalating conflict, President Trump maintained a confident stance, asserting in a Thursday primetime address, "We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly." He had previously threatened to strike Iran's bridges and power plants if the country failed to return to negotiations.
However, Ian Lesser, a distinguished fellow at GMF, a Washington-based think tank, expressed concern about the potential for the U.S. and Iran to become entangled in a "forever war." "There's a risk of this, but of course we were in essentially a cold and occasionally hot war with Iran for decades," Lesser told CNBC. "I think in some sense this is misjudgment by the current administration. But it is also part of a pattern in the American approach to the use of force, that we have enormous capability and enormous operational prowess and we are hobbled by strategic mistakes."
The intensifying unrest in the Middle East significantly impacted global markets. Oil prices surged on Friday, with international benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery advancing 4.6% to $88.10 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for August delivery gaining 4.5% to settle at $82.49. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels since mid-June, closing the week with approximately 16% gains. Brent is now on track for a third consecutive weekly gain, while WTI marks its second.
— Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
