The United States has identified two soldiers killed while defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan, increasing the American military death toll in the war with Iran to 17.

The Pentagon confirmed that 1st Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, from Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Texas, died while supporting the US-led mission against Islamic State in Jordan. US Central Command reported that the pair died on Friday, July 17, 2026, during defense against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

A third service member remains missing following the attack. Central Command stated that "unidentified remains" were recovered at the site and are undergoing examination.

These deaths highlight the widening scope of the conflict, with US forces stationed throughout the Middle East increasingly vulnerable to Iranian retaliation despite no ground combat occurring inside Iran.

President Donald Trump has defended the military campaign as essential to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, noting that recent US strikes were conducted "in honour" of the fallen troops.

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched strikes targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs and allied militia groups.

Additionally, a seventh US soldier died from injuries sustained during an Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Separately, the US military reported that a Navy pilot died earlier in July after a helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea during an emergency landing not believed to be caused by hostile action.

Sources