Two U.S. service members killed, one missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan, CENTCOM says

Two U.S. service members were killed in action and one was reported missing following an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan, U.S. Central Command said on Saturday, in an update tied to ongoing security actions in the region. The announcement did not identify the service members or provide additional details on the circumstances of the missing person beyond the fact that the incident occurred while partner forces were engaged in combat operations related to the attack.

In its statement, CENTCOM said partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. The command said the U.S. service members were killed during the same engagement, indicating the Americans were in proximity to the defended activities. CENTCOM also said one service member remained missing, pending further developments as authorities work to determine the individual’s status.

The incident adds to a series of cross-border security events in the Middle East involving Iran and regional partners, where drones and ballistic missiles have been used to strike or threaten targets. For U.S. personnel, the reporting underscores the risk that service members face not only during direct engagements, but also during defensive operations conducted alongside allies and partners.

CENTCOM’s update came as Jordan-based air defenses and partner forces were operating against the incoming threat. The statement did not specify which defended site(s) were targeted or whether the U.S. service members were attached to a particular unit or mission set, beyond describing their status in the context of the broader defensive response.

U.S. military officials typically take additional steps after confirmation of deaths to notify families and provide more information through official channels. In similar cases, CENTCOM and other U.S. commands later issue follow-up updates clarifying operational details, the location of the incident, and the steps being taken to locate missing personnel.

The next phase is likely to involve continued search, accounting, and reporting to determine the missing service member’s location and status. U.S. officials also may provide further information on the attack, including the nature of the incoming missiles and drones, the defense measures used by partner forces, and the timeline of the engagement, as investigations proceed.