The Pentagon on Monday identified two U.S. soldiers killed last week in an Iranian missile and drone assault on a military base in Jordan, the first American combat deaths from direct Iranian fire in months amid the escalating conflict.
Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, was killed in the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, died from his injuries the following day, according to a Defense Department statement.
The service members were supporting a U.S. mission against the Islamic State group at the base, which has served as a strategic hub for American air operations in the region, officials said. It was unclear precisely how they were killed as U.S. and partner forces defended against the incoming barrage.
U.S. Central Command announced the initial casualties on Saturday, reporting that two service members were killed in action, four others were wounded and medically evacuated, and one remained missing. Unidentified remains later discovered near the site may belong to the missing individual, according to subsequent military updates. All wounded personnel have since been discharged or returned to duty.
The deaths bring the total number of U.S. service members killed in the war with Iran to 17, according to military figures. The conflict intensified after the breakdown of peace talks earlier this year, with American forces positioned across the Middle East facing risks from Iranian missiles, drones and other indirect attacks.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the strike on the Jordanian base, describing it as part of retaliatory operations. In response, the U.S. military conducted additional airstrikes targeting Iranian forces.
President Donald Trump described the deaths as “a very sad thing” while defending the necessity of operations to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X that the sacrifice “only stiffens our resolve.”
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, also known as Al-Azraq, has been hit multiple times in recent weeks, highlighting Jordan’s heightened strategic importance.
No further details on funeral arrangements or next of kin were immediately released.
