Air raid sirens blared in Bahrain and other Gulf states as the struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz continued after US forces conducted a ninth day of air strikes on targets around Iran.
Tensions increased over the weekend in the Gulf after the deaths of three US soldiers — and possibly a fourth — were announced.
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Air Raid Sirens Sound In Bahrain, Kuwait As Iran Claims Fresh Strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest wave of strikes was aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten vessels transiting the strait, a strategic waterway that usually sees about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas transit.
President Donald Trump said the attacks also honored US service members killed in recent days.
“We hit them very hard again tonight,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding the strikes were carried out “in honor of” what he said were “probably three great patriots.”
A day earlier, CENTCOMdisclosedthe first combat losses in the Iran war since March, saying two service members had been killed and another was missing during defensive operations in Jordan.
In its latest statement, the military said that “after a thorough search, US military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today [in Jordan]. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing,” raising the possibility that the remains were of the missing service member.
That statement did not specify where in Jordan the attack occurred. Identification of the victims was not provided pending notification of family members.
The main site of US operations on the territory of the Middle East ally is the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, about 80 kilometers outside Amman. US forces also have operations at the Prince Hassan Air Base and at other military facilities in Jordan.
