US strikes on Iran continue for ninth night, as tribute to fallen soldiers

US forces have carried out new airstrikes against Iran for the ninth night in a row, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced. According to CENTCOM, the operation aims to diminish Tehran’s capability to strike ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump stated that these operations were carried out as a tribute to the American service members who have fallen in recent days. “Tonight we hit them hard again, and we did it to honor—most likely—three great patriots,” he told reporters.

Trump added that he is deeply moved by the loss of the soldiers, emphasizing that they gave their lives in an effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He made these remarks on his way back to Washington, after attending the World Cup final in New Jersey.

CENTCOM also announced that US forces “have launched a new wave of strikes against Iran for the ninth night in a row,” while a photograph released by the command shows explosions at an unspecified location within Iranian territory.

The command stressed that the objective of these strikes is to weaken the combat means that Iran uses to endanger commercial ships and civilian sailors passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, CENTCOM had also confirmed the first casualties among US forces since the escalation of clashes with Iran in March. According to the announcement, two US soldiers lost their lives on July 17, while a third was declared missing during an attempt to repel an Iranian missile and drone attack at a secret location in Jordan.

Subsequently, the US military reported that unidentified human remains were found in the incident area, which increased the possibility that the missing soldier is no longer alive. Meanwhile, on July 19, another US soldier was killed in Iraq as a result of the explosion of munitions from an Iranian drone that was shot down. A colleague of his was lightly wounded and is receiving medical treatment.

On the other hand, Iran continued its counterattacks by striking several Arab allies of the US in the Persian Gulf region, in retaliation for the American bombings. The Israeli military told AFP that together with Jordanian forces it managed to intercept an Iranian missile that was targeting the Jordanian city of Aqaba. Likewise, the Jordanian army announced that it had shot down “three Iranian missiles that were targeting the kingdom’s territory,” without providing details on the areas threatened.

Kuwait also reported that a power and water supply plant was hit by Iran, causing flames. This was the third attack within three days on such infrastructure in the country. A day earlier, Kuwaiti authorities had announced that an oil industry facility was also struck.