Understanding in One Article: Frequent Attacks on Jordanian Base Result in More U.S. Casualties

On July 19, Xinhua News Agency reported that the U.S. Central Command confirmed that two U.S. soldiers were killed on the 17th in Jordan due to attacks by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, with additional soldiers reported missing and injured. This attack marks the fourth incident involving U.S. forces in Jordan in the past five days, raising the death toll of U.S. troops to 16.

Below is an interpretation of the reasons behind the frequent attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan and the latest developments in the situation:

—— Frequent Attacks on U.S. Bases in Jordan

According to a report by The New York Times on the 18th, multiple U.S. officials stated that Iran has launched four attacks on U.S. military bases located in Jordan over the past five days. The report indicated that the first round of attacks hit the residential area of King Faisal Air Base, injuring five U.S. personnel. The second attack targeted a base in eastern Jordan, damaging several U.S. Black Hawk helicopters. The most recent two attacks occurred at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. In the third attack, about 20 U.S. personnel were injured while rushing to shelters to take cover.

The New York Times report suggested that the presence of U.S. forces at Jordan's main air base has become increasingly significant since the onset of the conflict, as the Pentagon has shifted some U.S. troops from Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar to relatively safer locations in Jordan and Israel. The report cited U.S. government officials stating that as other American allies in the Middle East restrict the U.S. military's ability to station troops on their territory and fly military aircraft through their airspace, Jordan's role in U.S. operations has further increased.

The report also quoted retired Air Force General David Deptula, who stated that Jordan's geographical location allows U.S. forces to "conduct more efficient air operations across a broader area." Deptula believes that Iran's attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan are not only "an attack on the U.S. regional ally system" but also aim to "make the political cost of providing bases for U.S. forces outweigh the security benefits they bring."

—— U.S. Military Casualties Increase

On the 18th, the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that two U.S. personnel were killed on the 17th in Jordan due to attacks by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, one person is missing, and four others were sent to the hospital for treatment. This raises the death toll of U.S. troops to 16 since the large-scale military operations against Iran by the U.S. and Israel began at the end of February, with over 400 others injured. The Associated Press reported that this is the first time since March that U.S. soldiers have been killed "due to direct fire from Iran."

U.S. President Trump stated in an interview with U.S. media on the 18th that these U.S. soldiers made the "sacrifice to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons." He expressed "regret" over the deaths of the two soldiers, calling it "a very sad thing."

On the same day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth stated on social media, "Their sacrifice will only strengthen our resolve."

The U.S. Central Command announced on social media on the 18th that U.S. forces began a new round of airstrikes against Iran at 6 PM Eastern Time (6 AM Beijing Time on the 19th). Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Central Command released another message stating that U.S. forces completed another round of airstrikes against Iran at 11:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 AM Beijing Time on the 19th).

The U.S. military stated that the operation aims to "further weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attack on the U.S. base in Jordan on the evening of the 17th." In the eighth consecutive night of airstrikes, U.S. forces targeted Iranian coastal military surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime combat facilities, and missile and drone storage sites. U.S. forces also struck the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units that launched the attack on the U.S. military base in Jordan on the 17th.

—— Iran Vows to Retaliate

According to Iranian media reports on the 19th, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Ali Abdollahi, stated that the Iranian armed forces will deliver a "devastating response" to any "barbaric acts" by the U.S.

In light of the current situation, Iran's Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei issued a statement on the 18th, saying that the U.S. has repeatedly violated the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran, proving that the signature of the U.S. president is "worthless and invalid."

Mujtaba stated that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding has been violated again, further demonstrating that "bullying, totalitarianism, and barbaric acts are an inseparable part of U.S. ideology and practice." He emphasized that the U.S. attempts to provoke war will incur a heavier price, and the Iranian people and the "resistance front" will leave the U.S. with "a lasting lesson."

According to Iranian media reports on the 19th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone in Ahvaz, Iran.