US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced on 19/7 that the incident occurred the previous day, resulting in the death of one service member and injury to one soldier, who is currently receiving treatment. The identity of the deceased US soldier and the type of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have not been disclosed.

This incident brings the total to at least 17 US service members killed since the Middle East conflict erupted in late February.

CENTCOM also stated on the same day that the US military conducted its 9th consecutive night of strikes against Iran "to quickly punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for attacking US service members."

A Shahed UAV flies over Kermanshah city, Iran, in 3/2024. Photo: AFP

US officials announced on 18/7 that two soldiers were killed and one person was missing after an Iranian ballistic missile and UAV attack on a base in Jordan. Unidentified body parts found at the scene may belong to the missing service member.

A preliminary agreement to end hostilities collapsed as the US and Iran have continuously launched retaliatory strikes against each other in recent days. Hopes for a political resolution to the conflict have faded, despite intermediaries' efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table. Fighting continued on 19/7, with both sides maintaining missile attacks and airstrikes.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran accused the US of attacking the Darkhovin nuclear power plant, which is under construction in the country's southwest, calling it "an aggressive and brutal act, contrary to international law." The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is reviewing the information, noting that the plant "did not contain nuclear material when the IAEA last visited."

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi reiterated "a call for restraint of military action in the vicinity of nuclear-related sites."

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that Tehran "will take appropriate action to protect its national interests and security."

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Hill)