Two US service members killed, another missing after Iranian attack in Jordan: CENTCOM

An American woman who spent more than a year and a half detained in Iran returned to the United States on Saturday.

Dena Karari, who was reportedly accused of espionage over her work with a U.S. nonprofit that helps impoverished children, arrived in the U.S., her attorney, Jared Genser, announced.

"Welcome home #DenaKarari from #Iran to the land of the free and the home of the brave — after 566 days wrongly detained by the Iranian regime," Genser wrote on X.

"THANK YOU to all who made this day possible, known and unknown," he added. "We must now redouble our efforts to get all the other Americans out!"

Genser shared a photo of Karari draped in an American flag beneath an airport sign reading, "Welcome to the United States of America."

Karari's return comes days after President Donald Trump announced that Iran had released an American woman he said had been "wrongfully detained" in the country.

Karari is the first known American to be freed from Iranian custody since 2023, a notable development amid heightened military tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

Former Ambassador-at-Large Nathan Sales argued Saturday that the United States should maintain military and economic pressure on Iran rather than pursue a new agreement with Tehran.

"The problem with the deal is, one, we're going to have to give something up to get a deal," Sales said on Fox News' "Life, Liberty & Levin." "Two, any deal that the Iranians signed, they're going to start violating it on day one."

Sales argued Iran has already demonstrated it cannot be trusted to honor agreements, pointing to what he described as repeated violations of the recent ceasefire.

The former counterterrorism coordinator said President Donald Trump's immediate objective should be keeping the Strait of Hormuz open through military pressure, economic sanctions and an international coalition to protect commercial shipping.

Sales also argued the United States could continue monitoring Iran's nuclear program without negotiating a new agreement, saying Washington should be prepared to respond quickly if Tehran attempts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.

President Donald Trump defended the U.S. military campaign against Iran on Saturday after two American service members were killed in an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, arguing they made the "ultimate sacrifice" to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Speaking with the New York Post, Trump called the deaths "a shame" but said the mission remains critical.

"They did it because they don't want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon," Trump said of the fallen service members. "… And it just shows you how bad [the Iranians] are."

When asked whether he planned to contact the families of the two service members, Trump replied, "Of course I will. I always do. Yeah."

Trump's comments came as U.S. Central Command announced a new wave of airstrikes against Iran, saying the strikes are intended to further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces responsible for the attack in Jordan.

Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said Saturday that the United States should continue increasing military pressure on Iran but stop short of deploying ground troops, arguing the current strategy can still bring Tehran back to the negotiating table.

"I would just at the outset say that I'm not in favor of boots on the ground because I do think our objectives are achievable through the means of which we've been prosecuting this conflict so far," Moore said on Fox News' "Fox Report."

Moore said he believes President Donald Trump is pursuing the right strategy by escalating military pressure while leaving open the possibility of future negotiations with Iran.

"Part of this is escalating so then we can de-escalate to bring the Iranians back to the table and hopefully come up with some type of peace negotiation," he said.

Moore said Iran will ultimately have to decide "how much pain are they willing to go through in this," adding that he believes continued pressure could eventually force Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program.

Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman said Saturday that the deaths of two U.S. service members in Jordan will likely trigger an intensive intelligence effort to determine how Iran carried out the attack and what it hopes to achieve.

"When enemy forces strike our bases, the president turns to our intelligence community—not just the CIA, but military intelligence as well, NSA, overhead reconnaissance—for all the intelligence we have to determine where these strikes were launched from inside Iran, who gave the orders to launch those strikes," Hoffman said on Fox News' "Fox Report."

Hoffman said the intelligence review would focus not only on the tactical details of the attack but also on Iran's broader strategy, arguing Tehran is seeking to reduce or eliminate U.S. influence in the Middle East while disrupting the global economy by threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

The former CIA officer said President Donald Trump is likely reviewing a range of military and diplomatic options, but argued the larger challenge is finding a way to compel Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program, ballistic missiles and support for proxy terrorist groups.

"We don't want to leave Iran in control of the Strait of Hormuz and with a military that has been beaten badly, but is able to rearm and reconstitute and present threats to us in the region and beyond," Hoffman said.

Fox News contributor Joey Jones said Saturday night's U.S. airstrikes against Iran send a clear message after two American service members were killed in Jordan.

The latest strikes marked the eighth consecutive night of U.S. military operations against Iran. U.S. Central Command said the operation is intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and "swiftly punish" Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against American troops.

"One thing President Trump has always been consistent about is if you slap me, I will punch you," Jones said on Fox News' "The Big Weekend Show." "I think that's probably the message they're trying to send right now."

Jones added that the administration is likely evaluating what remaining Iranian military targets could be struck to inflict "real harm" as the conflict continues.

The comments came after CENTCOM announced the latest round of airstrikes just hours after confirming two U.S. service members were killed while defending a base in Jordan against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

An Iranian lawmaker on Saturday warned U.S. troops would flee the region if they fully understood a recent warning from Iran's supreme leader, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate.

Ebrahim Azizi, who chairs the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, referenced Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's promise that the United States would face "unforgettable lessons."

"If US troops truly understood what our wise Supreme Leader meant by 'unforgettable lessons,' they wouldn't waste a single second fleeing," Azizi wrote on X.

Azizi has been among Iranian officials issuing increasingly defiant statements as the U.S. military continues strikes against Iranian targets and enforces a naval blockade in the region.

His comments came hours after U.S. Central Command announced that two American service members were killed while defending a U.S. base in Jordan against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday that a Lebanese Army soldier was killed and two others were wounded after their vehicle struck an explosive device in southern Lebanon.

According to the IDF, an initial review found the explosive device did not belong to Israeli forces and was "most likely" planted by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

The military said the incident occurred near Al-Mansouri within the security zone in southern Lebanon, adding that Israeli troops had not recently operated in the area.

The IDF also said the Lebanese Army vehicle entered the security zone without prior coordination, which it said is required under the existing coordination mechanism.

The military urged Lebanese civilians and security forces to avoid areas where Hezbollah continues to operate and to coordinate movements in advance for their safety.

Fox News' Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

Lawmakers from both parties on Saturday expressed condolences after two U.S. service members were killed while defending a U.S. base in Jordan against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other elected officials were among those who offered prayers and support for the fallen troops, their families and the service member who remains missing.

Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., said he was "heartbroken" by the loss of "two American soldiers who heroically defended our nation and partner forces against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan." Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., called the news "devastating" and urged Americans to pray for the missing service member and the troops' families.

Some Democrats also paired their condolences with criticism of U.S. policy toward Iran. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said his "heart is with the families" of the fallen service members before calling to bring American troops "out of harm's way," while Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said the service members were killed in "a war that never should have happened in the first place."

U.S. Central Command on Saturday shared new details about ongoing U.S. naval operations in the Arabian Sea, saying American forces continue to enforce the naval blockade against Iran.

CENTCOM posted an image of the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook transiting the Arabian Sea alongside an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter.

"American forces continue to strictly enforce the ongoing naval blockade against Iran," CENTCOM wrote on X.

The military added that, as of Saturday, U.S. forces have redirected five commercial vessels and disabled one vessel while enforcing the naval blockade.

The update comes as U.S. forces continue carrying out strikes against Iranian military targets and enforcing the naval blockade following a week of escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Saturday honored two U.S. service members killed in Iranian attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan, saying their deaths would strengthen America's resolve.

"Godspeed, heroes," Hegseth wrote on X.

"Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve," Hegseth added in a post quoting U.S. Central Command's announcement of the service members' deaths.

CENTCOM said two American service members were killed while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks on Friday. The military also said one service member remains missing and four were wounded.

The deaths mark the first confirmed U.S. combat fatalities since the current conflict with Iran escalated, as American forces continue carrying out strikes against Iranian military targets across the region.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said Saturday he believes "regime change" may be the only way to bring lasting change in Iran as the conflict between Tehran and the United States continues to escalate.

"It seems like the only way we're going to get change there is a regime change," Scott told Iran International's Marzia Hussaini.

Scott argued the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, saying the U.S. must continue working to prevent Tehran from developing one.

The Florida Republican also said Iran cannot be allowed to kill Americans or continue backing terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Scott's comments come as the U.S. and Iran continue exchanging military strikes, with tensions escalating across the Middle East following the deaths of two U.S. service members in Jordan.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., criticized the Trump administration's handling of the conflict with Iran on Saturday after two U.S. service members were killed in Iranian attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan, calling the war a "quagmire."

"My deepest condolences to the families of the service members. We pray for their comfort at this very difficult time," Krishnamoorthi said during an appearance on MSNBC's "Alex Witt Reports." "This is a forever war at this point. This is a quagmire. Neither side, the U.S. certainly cannot militarily resolve the situation."

Krishnamoorthi argued the conflict is creating economic hardship for Americans, calling it an "illegal and unconstitutional war" that is dragging the United States "further and further into an economic mess."

The Illinois Democrat also pushed back on President Donald Trump's claims that Iran's military has been effectively crippled, saying the country still poses a significant threat. "They have thousands of drones, they have thousands of ballistic missiles. They have the capability to continue to hurt us," Krishnamoorthi said.

Krishnamoorthi also warned the continued conflict could weaken U.S. deterrence elsewhere. "Not only are we not achieving any military objectives right now with regard to Iran, I believe that we're reducing our military deterrents and inviting potential aggression against us in other theaters around the world," he said.

Two U.S. service members were killed in action in Jordan during Iranian attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan last night, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday.

"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," a CENTCOM statement posted to X read.

"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," CENTCOM wrote.

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," the post concluded

Fox News senior strategic analyst Jack Keane told Fox News’ “Saturday in America” that the U.S. is on the “right path” to shut Iran down from taking control of the Strait of Hormuz. 

Keane spoke after U.S. Central Command said Friday that it carried out another wave of strikes against Iranian military targets. 

“We have to get rid of the capability there that can interfere with that kind of shipping and also interfere with U.S. naval ships,” Keane said. 

He described the Strait of Hormuz as “Iran's number one strategic asset.” 

“It used to be nuclear weapons, but their nuclear enterprise is buried under a mountain of rubble. Their number one strategic asset is this. Why? Because it influences the other Gulf states. They use it as leverage,” Keane told Fox News. 

“And look at what it did. On February the 28th we went to war. On March the 2nd, they shut down the Straits of Hormuz. And it immediately began to have an effect not just on the region, but the world economy. It exceeded their expectations in terms of what the outcome was,” he added. “That is why they are absolutely trying to maintain control of this, and they're willing to fight to maintain that control. That is really what is taking place here.” 

Mohsen Rezaei, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, is claiming that “no political border will provide security against Iran's offensive forces” if U.S. strikes continue. 

“Both diplomacy and negotiations, as well as war, are over; if America continues the war in the next 2-3 days, we will enter the stage of the enemy's ‘full-scale invasion and annihilation,’” he wrote on X on Friday.  

"In the event of activating this strategy, we will no longer settle for retaliation in kind, and no political border will provide security against Iran's offensive forces,” Rezaei added. 

U.S. Central Command later announced following Rezaei’s post that it carried out a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran. 

Kuwait Airways said Saturday that it was “rescheduling of most of its flights due to the temporary suspension of takeoff and landing operations at Kuwait International Airport as a result of hostile missile and drone attacks.” 

“Kuwait Airways thanks its valued customers for their understanding and cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to passenger safety,” it added in a statement. 

Kuwait’s military said earlier Saturday that it intercepted ballistic missile and drone attacks that originated from Iran.

A satellite image captured smoke billowing into the sky near an oil facility in Kuwait following reported Iranian strikes on Saturday. 

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said earlier that “one of the vital sites in the oil sector was subjected this morning... to repeated, brutal Iranian attacks, resulting in severe material losses along with some injuries.” 

Another image released by Reuters showed flames and black smoke near an oil facility in Mangaf, Kuwait. 

Kuwait's military said it has "detected, since dawn today, hostile ballistic missiles and drones within Kuwaiti airspace, which have been intercepted and dealt with." 

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday it “condemns in the strongest terms the renewed attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran” against Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. 

“It considers them a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the targeted countries, and a blatant breach of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles of good neighborliness,” the Ministry said. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that targeting electricity and water desalination plants in the State of Kuwait crosses all red lines and constitutes an egregious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which emphasizes respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries and rejects targeting civilians and vital infrastructure,” it continued. 

Qatar also described the attacks as a ”dangerous escalation that will complicate efforts to contain tensions and undermine political and diplomatic endeavors aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.” 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is discussing whether it can arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to the U.S. in September for the U.N. General Assembly in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. 

“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in the Hague,” Mamdani told the newspaper this week, naming the home of the United Nations’ International Court of Justice. 

“He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court,” Mamdani reportedly added, noting, “And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.” 

The New York Times reported that Mamdani said he is unclear as to whether he has the legal authority to order police to detain Netanyahu, but that he’s in an “active conversation” with the city’s Law Department about the idea. 

“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end,” Mamdani also told The New York Times. 

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Saturday that Tehran has “suspended” its commitments in the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding that was reached last month, according to a report from Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. 

The declaration comes after U.S. Central Command’s latest wave of airstrikes against Iran, which unfolded Friday night. 

“The U.S. has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU,” Gharibabadi reportedly told Iran’s Fars news agency.  

"We have also suspended our commitments, we are not implementing them, and we are busy defending the country," he added. 

Aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force have intercepted and shot down four unmanned drones that entered the country’s airspace over the last 24 hours, a report said. 

The Qatar News Agency, citing Jordan’s Army, said the interceptions resulted in no casualties or material damage. 

The development comes as Jordan's armed forces also said they intercepted 10 Iranian missiles early Saturday. 

Countries across the Middle East are reporting fresh Iranian aggression following U.S. military airstrikes on Iranian targets Friday night. 

Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this post. 

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a fresh warning saying “Americans should not travel to Lebanon and reconsider travel to/through the Middle East.” 

“Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments,” said the message Friday. 

“Americans traveling in or through the region should also check with their air carriers to make sure their flights are still scheduled,” it added. 

Tensions remain high in the region as Israel’s military continues to push back against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group in Lebanon. 

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said Saturday that “one of the vital sites in the oil sector was subjected this morning... to repeated, brutal Iranian attacks, resulting in severe material losses along with some injuries.” 

“The injured have been treated and the site has been evacuated,” it added in a statement. “Efforts are underway to deal with the attack in coordination with the relevant authorities in the state.” 

The announcement came as Kuwait’s Army said it intercepted ballistic missile and drone attacks on Saturday that originated from Iran. 

“The Official Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Major General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, stated that the Armed Forces have detected, since dawn today, hostile ballistic missiles and drones within Kuwaiti airspace, which have been intercepted and dealt with,” Kuwait’s Army said. 

“He added that the heinous Iranian aggression continued to target a number of military and security facilities, alongside several vital and civilian facilities in the country, as the attacks struck installations affiliated with the oil, electricity, and water sectors, leading to outbreaks of fires and causing severe damage to a number of facilities and installations,” a statement continued. 

“He pointed out that the competent authorities have initiated firefighting and repair operations, resulting in injuries to a number of public fire force personnel and workers in the oil sector while carrying out their duties, and they are receiving the necessary medical care and treatment,” the statement added.  

The office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced Saturday that he has left Beirut for Washington, D.C. “in response to an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump.” 

“A Lebanese-American summit will be held at the White House, and President Aoun will conduct meetings and consultations with a number of American officials addressing the situation in Lebanon and the possible means to consolidate the ceasefire, restore security and stability to Lebanon in general and the south in particular, the withdrawal of Israel from the Lebanese areas it occupies, and the extension of the state's authority over all areas,” a statement read on X. 

Israel has been clashing with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group in Lebanon, in recent months. 

Bahrain’s military said it “confronted, intercepted, and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian aerial attacks” on Saturday. 

“The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force announces that Iran continues its systematic hostile approach through its sinful attacks targeting civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” read a statement posted on X. 

“The General Command clarifies that with a solid will and high combat readiness, the air defense systems of the Bahrain Defence Force confronted, intercepted, and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian aerial attacks today, Saturday, July 18, 2026.” 

The reported interceptions come after the U.S. military struck numerous Iranian targets on Friday night in its latest wave of airstrikes against the regime in Tehran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday that U.S. forces had completed their latest round of strikes against Iran, marking the seventh consecutive night of military operations.

"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities," CENTCOM said in a statement. "U.S. forces employed fighter aircraft, aerial drones and warships, in addition to other assets."

CENTCOM said the latest strikes came as the U.S. continued enforcing a renewed naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

"CENTCOM continues to hold Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction while fully enforcing a naval blockade against Iranian ports," the military said.

CENTCOM added that more than 50,000 U.S. service members continue to operate across the Middle East.

Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the war against Iran.