U.S. Forces Launch New Airstrikes on Iran, Naval Blockade Enforcement Continues

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. forces launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran beginning at 6 p.m. ET on July 18. The action followed the deaths of two U.S. service members in Jordan the previous day and occurs alongside continued naval blockade enforcement in the region.

CENTCOM reported that on July 17 two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action and one remains missing as U.S. and partner forces responded to Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

Four additional American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged.

Other personnel evaluated for minor injuries returned to duty. Identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.

American forces continue to enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. As of July 18, CENTCOM reported redirecting five commercial vessels and disabling one.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) was photographed transiting the Arabian Sea with an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter nearby during these operations.

Jordan Casualties and Intercepts

According to the July 18 CENTCOM public release, the two deaths and one missing service member occurred on July 17 in Jordan during response to Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks involving U.S. Central Command and partner forces.

Four service members reached Jordanian hospitals for medical evacuation and were later discharged.

CENTCOM noted it would “withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.”

Naval Blockade Status

CENTCOM announced that American forces continue strict enforcement of the naval blockade against Iran.

As of July 18 the command had redirected five commercial vessels and disabled one. Imagery released by CENTCOM shows USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) operating in the Arabian Sea with an MH-60S Sea Hawk in the vicinity during these enforcement actions.

The blockade resumed on July 14 at the Commander in Chief’s direction following an earlier period of enforcement from April 13 to June 18.

Assessment:The five-redirected and one-disabled tally as of July 18 is the most recent official figure from the resumed blockade that began July 14. Relative to the prior blockade period’s cumulative totals (more than 140 redirected and nine disabled), the current three-to-four-day window remains low-volume; the next CENTCOM maritime update will show whether the tempo is holding or accelerating.

Airstrikes on Iran

At 6 p.m. ET on July 18 U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction.

The command described the purpose as further degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punishing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces responsible for the attacks on American service members in Jordan the prior night.

The July 18 strikes followed a seventh consecutive night of U.S. strikes against Iran that ended at 9:30 p.m. ET on July 17.

That earlier wave targeted surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities using fighter aircraft, aerial drones, and warships.

No completion statement or battle-damage assessment for the specific July 18 wave had been issued as of the latest available official updates.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, July 18: “TAMPA, Fla. — On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty. Out of respect for the families, CENTCOM will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.”

• U.S. Central Command, July 18: “Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. 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.”

• U.S. Central Command, July 18: “USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) transits the Arabian Sea while an MH-60S Sea Hawk flies nearby. American forces continue to strictly enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran. As of July 18, CENTCOM has redirected 5 commercial vessels and disabled 1.”

• Military source, General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army, July 18: “Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft intercepted and shot down four drones that entered Jordanian airspace over the past 24 hours. Air defense systems intercepted and shot down 10 Iranian missiles that entered Jordanian airspace and were targeting the kingdom’s territory. The interception and downing operations resulted in no casualties or material damage. The Jordanian Armed Forces continue to monitor the kingdom’s airspace and various developments while maintaining the highest levels of vigilance.”