The US initiated new airstrikes against Iran on Saturday, following an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of two American service members. US Central Command stated on social media that these strikes aimed to degrade Iran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping and to "swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night."
This marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with the US responding directly to the loss of American lives. The strikes are part of an ongoing campaign, with the US having conducted a new round of airstrikes on Monday, marking their ninth consecutive night of operations. These new strikes targeted "Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks."
The conflict has led to a rising US death toll, with a third service member killed in Iraq on Saturday during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone. The total number of US service members killed since the conflict began has now reached 17. Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright attempted to allay concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the US is ensuring oil and gas can flow, with or without Iranian cooperation. Despite this, international benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery advanced 4.6% to $88.10 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate futures for August gained 4.5% to settle at $82.49, both reaching their highest since mid-June as the conflict raised anxieties about energy supplies.
Energy prices have reacted, with US gas prices also on the rise, the national average exceeding $3.99 per gallon on Sunday, up from over $3.87 a week prior. The US military also announced that unidentified remains were found at the location of the Jordan attack, which had initially left one service member missing, and these remains are currently being examined. President Donald Trump ordered the latest airstrikes to further "degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
