A United States soldier has been killed in Iraq, raising the number of confirmed American military deaths in the ongoing conflict with Iran to 17, as both countries launched fresh attacks for the ninth consecutive day.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the soldier was killed on July 18 in northern Iraq while carrying out a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance recovered from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.
A second US service member sustained minor injuries during the operation and is receiving medical treatment.
The latest casualty comes a day after two American soldiers were killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes on a US military facility in Jordan, while another soldier was initially reported missing.
In an update on Sunday, CENTCOM said unidentified human remains had been recovered from the attack site in Jordan.
“Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two U.S. service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the United States said it carried out another round of airstrikes across Iran, targeting command centres, air defence systems, missile facilities, maritime assets and communications infrastructure.
The attacks marked the ninth consecutive night of US military operations against Iranian targets.
Iran responded with strikes targeting US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.
Authorities in Kuwait confirmed that air defence systems were activated to intercept what the military described as hostile drones.
In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said warning sirens were sounded on Monday morning following the latest wave of attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that Tehran would continue military operations until it secured what he described as a strategic advantage.
“The end of the war is possible either through absolute military victory or through negotiations. The right time to negotiate is precisely when you have achieved a reliable field and strategic achievement on the military front.”
Araghchi said any decision to begin negotiations must be based on careful assessment of battlefield conditions and national interests.
“You cannot take risks with the lives of the people and the fate of the entire country. Decisions must be made based on accurate and complete calculations.”
He maintained that despite suffering losses, Iran had strengthened its position internationally during the conflict.
The latest exchanges underscore the continuing escalation between Washington and Tehran, with no immediate indication that hostilities will ease.
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