U.S. says it targeted Iran forces after deaths of two American troops
The first officer of a U.S. Navy aviation craft pilots an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Force Squadron (VFA) 154 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is docked in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Michelle Bir) / AFP via Getty Images)
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The United States said Sunday that it targeted Iranian forces that attacked Jordan last week, resulting in the deaths of two American soldiers and the disappearance of one.
Kuwait said it had launched a defense against another wave of Iranian shells throughout the night.
The developments over the weekend have the potential to further jeopardize last month’s fragile ceasefire between the two sides and raise new concerns about oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command says it has completed an operation eighth night in a row Attacks on Iranian targets.
“CENTCOM forces have successfully struck Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites to continue weakening Iran’s military capabilities,” a post on X reads. he said.
The statement said, “American military assets also targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Forces, which carried out an attack on US soldiers in Jordan on July 17.”
US President Donald Trump has ordered military forces to launch new airstrikes starting at 6pm ET on Saturday in an effort to “reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz” and “punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that attacked American soldiers in Jordan last night.” According to Centcom.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that the country has suspended its commitments under the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States last month.
The ceasefire is unraveling
“The United States has violated and suspended all its commitments under the Islamabad MoU,” he said. “So we have suspended our commitments, we are not implementing them and we are busy defending our country.”
When asked about Iran saying it was no longer abiding by the interim peace agreement, Trump said: NewsNation reporter“I couldn’t care less.”
The memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran last month continued to unravel during the recent conflict, with both sides launching air strikes on the region. The aim of the interim agreement was to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict.
Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said the country carries “unforgettable lessons” for the United States
“Now that the American enemy is trying to ignite the war and bear heavier costs, he must know that the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front are doing this. #unforgettable_lessons Islamic Republic of Iran Publications said in a message: Khamenei in X.
TEHRAN, IRAN – JULY 14: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Statement image was provided by a third-party organization and may not comply with Getty Images’ editorial policy.) In this photo released by the Office of the Religious Leadership of Iran, members of the public attend the memorial ceremony held at Tehran’s Grand Musalla for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on July 14, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via Getty Images)
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Khamenei said repeated U.S. attacks showed that Trump’s signature on the memorandum of understanding was “completely worthless and devoid of credibility.”
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the remarks.
The deaths of two more US military members in Jordan add to previously confirmed deaths of 14 other soldiers killed in action since the war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, according to MS Now.
Trump in a phone call NewsNation reporterHe described the deaths of the two soldiers as “a very sad, very sad thing.”
“We hate to see this happen. It is in the service of our country,” he said, and reiterated his promise that the United States would “never allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.”
‘With God’s permission, heroes’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth replied To the deaths in X: “For God’s sake, heroes. Their sacrifices only strengthen our resolve.”
On Saturday, the IRGC said it blocked four ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under US protection.
And Iran continued to target its regional neighbors.
Kuwait said Sunday its air defenses were facing missile and drone attacks by Iran.
Despite the renewed attacks, Trump insisted in his first address to the American public on Thursday that the war with Iran was going well: “Likewise, we’re winning big in Iran, and you’ll see the fruits of that labor very, very quickly.”
The US president had threatened to hit Iran’s bridges and power plants next week if Iran refuses to return to the negotiating table.
Oil prices rose sharply on Friday due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Brent crude oil futures price ($ per barrel), year-to-date
International comparison Brent crude oil Futures for September delivery rose 4.6% to $88.10 per barrel on Friday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for August delivery rose 4.5% to $82.49. Both were at their highest levels since mid-June.
Both benchmarks have gained around 16% for the week, with Brent heading for its third consecutive weekly gain while WTI is poised for its second weekly gain.
— Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.
