The identities of the two U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan by an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack were confirmed on Monday, the 20th. These are the first U.S. military fatalities resulting from a direct attack by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities.

In a statement, the Department of War announced that First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan (25) from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales (19) from Carrollton, Texas, were killed in action in Jordan.

The statement added that they had been deployed to support U.S. operations against the Islamic State (IS). In addition to the two fatalities, one other individual remains missing following the strike on the Jordanian base.

The U.S. military stated that 17 American service members have been killed in the conflict with Iran.

One U.S. soldier was killed last Saturday during a controlled detonation of wreckage from a drone shot down in northern Iraq, and on March 1, six Army reservists from an Iowa logistics unit were killed when the Shuaiba port facility in Kuwait was struck by an Iranian drone.

One U.S. soldier who was injured during an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1 later died, six were killed in a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker crash in Iraq last March, and one naval aviator died in a helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea on July 1.

These fatalities reflect the complex reality that, even without a direct U.S. military presence in Iran, lethal risks persist in a conflict involving drones, missiles, and aircraft.

U.S. forces are stationed throughout the Middle East, and as fighting intensifies following the collapse of peace talks, other nations have become targets for attacks by Iran and its proxies.

The protracted nature of the war in the Middle East could serve as a catalyst for increasing domestic political pressure on President Donald Trump, who is committed to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons at all costs.

On Monday the 20th, President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would respond forcefully if Iran kills American service members, stating that he has already issued instructions to top U.S. military commanders regarding this matter.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote, "Anytime they kill American soldiers, they will pay a multiple of the price."

President Trump stated that these orders have been conveyed to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and all military commanders.

Secretary of War Hegseth stated during a Pentagon briefing on March 2, "If you kill Americans anywhere on Earth, we will track you down without apology or hesitation, and we will kill you."

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities claimed that at least 50 people have been killed and over 500 injured by U.S. airstrikes over the past three weeks, with 8 deaths occurring in a bridge attack on Friday alone.

International Brent crude oil prices are hovering between $83 and $84 per barrel as of the 20th. While this is an increase of more than $11 compared to the $72 level on July 1, it remains significantly lower than the price which exceeded $118 on April 29.

U.S. NNP = Representative Reporter Hong Sung-gu / Special Correspondent for NNP info@newsandpost.com