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US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran of severe retaliation after three American service members were killed over the weekend, saying Tehran would "pay many times over" for the deaths as the conflict between the two countries continued to escalate.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the US military leadership to respond forcefully.
"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump wrote.
He added that the directive had been conveyed to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and senior military commanders.
Trump's warning came after the Pentagon confirmed that three American service members were killed in separate incidents over the weekend.
Two soldiers were killed during Iranian missile and drone attacks on a US military base in Jordan on Friday. They were identified as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25.
Another US service member was killed in northern Iraq while carrying out the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
US officials also said one service member remains missing following the attack in Jordan, although unidentified human remains have been recovered during search operations.
The latest casualties bring the confirmed number of US military deaths since the conflict began to 17.
Trump said recent American strikes had hit Iran "very hard" and were carried out "in honour" of the fallen troops, signalling that Washington's military campaign is likely to intensify.
CENTCOM said US forces conducted a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets. According to the military, the operation targeted command centres, missile and drone launch sites, coastal surveillance systems and other military infrastructure linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. State news agency IRNA reported at least one death and several injuries near Tabriz.
Iran responded with another wave of missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities across the region.
The IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes on American positions at Aqaba airport in Jordan, Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, as well as US-linked positions in Syria.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted several hostile drones during the attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the main theatres of the conflict, with both countries seeking to assert control over the strategic shipping route.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed two oil tankers exploded after attempting to sail through what it described as an "unsafe" route in the strait.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a commercial vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman. The ship was left adrift, but all crew members were reported safe.
Washington says its operations are aimed at protecting international shipping lanes, while Tehran accuses the US of attempting to dominate one of the world's most important maritime corridors.
The conflict has also spread beyond military targets.
Kuwait said one of its desalination plants came under attack for the second consecutive day, triggering a fire. The facility is part of the country's critical water infrastructure, raising concerns over potential disruptions to drinking water supplies.
Iran has accused the United States of previously targeting one of its desalination plants and warned that similar facilities across the Gulf could become targets if the conflict continues.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the US military leadership to respond forcefully.
"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump wrote.
He added that the directive had been conveyed to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and senior military commanders.
Three US service members killed
Trump's warning came after the Pentagon confirmed that three American service members were killed in separate incidents over the weekend.
Two soldiers were killed during Iranian missile and drone attacks on a US military base in Jordan on Friday. They were identified as Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25.
Another US service member was killed in northern Iraq while carrying out the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
US officials also said one service member remains missing following the attack in Jordan, although unidentified human remains have been recovered during search operations.
The latest casualties bring the confirmed number of US military deaths since the conflict began to 17.
US strikes continue as conflict intensifies
Trump said recent American strikes had hit Iran "very hard" and were carried out "in honour" of the fallen troops, signalling that Washington's military campaign is likely to intensify.
CENTCOM said US forces conducted a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets. According to the military, the operation targeted command centres, missile and drone launch sites, coastal surveillance systems and other military infrastructure linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. State news agency IRNA reported at least one death and several injuries near Tabriz.
Iran launches fresh attacks across Gulf region
Iran responded with another wave of missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities across the region.
The IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes on American positions at Aqaba airport in Jordan, Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, as well as US-linked positions in Syria.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted several hostile drones during the attacks.
Strait of Hormuz remains flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the main theatres of the conflict, with both countries seeking to assert control over the strategic shipping route.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed two oil tankers exploded after attempting to sail through what it described as an "unsafe" route in the strait.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a commercial vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman. The ship was left adrift, but all crew members were reported safe.
Washington says its operations are aimed at protecting international shipping lanes, while Tehran accuses the US of attempting to dominate one of the world's most important maritime corridors.
Civilian infrastructure increasingly affected
The conflict has also spread beyond military targets.
Kuwait said one of its desalination plants came under attack for the second consecutive day, triggering a fire. The facility is part of the country's critical water infrastructure, raising concerns over potential disruptions to drinking water supplies.
Iran has accused the United States of previously targeting one of its desalination plants and warned that similar facilities across the Gulf could become targets if the conflict continues.
