The deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers in an Iranian strike on a Jordanian base mark the first American military deaths since hostilities resumed following Iran’s violations of President Donald Trump’s peace agreement.
The War Department has identified the deceased as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas. Officials reported a third service member’s remains are still being identified, while another soldier was killed Saturday during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance in northern Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The latest casualties bring the total number of U.S. service members killed since the conflict began to 17, with more than 420 wounded.
Feehan and Gonzales were deployed to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission against the Islamic State, and both served in air defense artillery units based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Ansbach, Germany, respectively. The Army announced Feehan will be posthumously promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge. Military leaders praised both soldiers for their service and sacrifice, while War Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
President Trump vowed a forceful response, stating on Truth Social that “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over,” and said the directive had been passed to senior military leaders. Speaking Sunday night, Trump said recent U.S. strikes against Iranian military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets were carried out in honor of the fallen service members as the United States continues an expanded military campaign following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement with Tehran.
The peace deal brokered by President Trump aimed to de-escalate tensions and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Its collapse after Iranian attacks on commercial shipping has led to a sharp increase in military actions from both sides.
