world
US Launches Air Strikes on Iran Following Deaths of Two Service Members in Jordan
US forces began air strikes against Iran on July 18 at President Donald Trump’s direction. The strikes targeted Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and punished Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces for the deaths of two US service members in Jordan the previous day. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington the same day for meetings with Trump.
Jul 18, 7:46 PM·1m read1 source
AJ
theiranproject.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
US forces began launching new air strikes against Iran on July 18 at President Donald Trump’s direction, according to US Central Command. The strikes aimed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces accused of killing two US service members in Jordan on July 17.
Two US service members died in the Iranian attacks in Jordan, Trump said.
He described the deaths as “a very sad thing” and stated the US would “never” allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. The US consulate in Erbil activated its air defence system amid attacks by explosive-laden drones on the city, with several explosions heard in the skies over Erbil, BasNews reported.
The US State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory on July 18 urging US citizens to “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmad Al Sabah condemned the “heinous Iranian attacks” targeting Kuwait and other countries in the region during a phone call on July 18, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and First Lady Nehmat Aoun arrived at Joint Base Andrews at 3pm local time on July 18. Aoun is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 19 and hold talks with Trump at the White House on July 21.
This marks the first visit to Washington by a Lebanese head of state since Michel Sleiman met then-President Barack Obama in 2009.
