Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino have covered the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran, highlighting recent military actions. The U.S. Central Command has confirmed nine consecutive nights of strikes targeting Iranian military posts. These actions are in response to the fatalities of U.S. service members due to Iranian attacks in Jordan and Iraq.
President Donald Trump has asserted his intention to curb Iran’s military capabilities through sustained pressure. This includes the enforcement of naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.
The War Department has released the identities of two soldiers who died in an enemy assault at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. They are 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan from Ewa Beach, Hawaii and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales from Carrollton, Texas. They are the first U.S. military casualties since the renewal of hostilities, following Iran’s breach of a peace agreement initiated by Trump.
President Trump declared, “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!”
Efforts are ongoing to identify a third service member’s remains, while another was killed in Iraq during a controlled ordnance detonation, as per U.S. Central Command.
Since the conflict’s onset, 17 U.S. service members have died and over 420 have sustained wounds. Feehan and Gonzales were casualties of the Friday attack on Jordan, which remains under scrutiny. They were part of Operation Inherent Resolve, aiming at ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The operation has concluded in Iraq, with the U.S. regrouping forces in Syria.
Feehan was part of the 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment stationed in North Carolina. Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty spoke on Feehan’s service, emphasizing how his loss to enemy action will inspire and resolve American soldiers.
Feehan will posthumously receive military honors, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and a promotion to captain. Brig. Gen. John Dawber noted Feehan’s commitment to the mission and his comrades.
Gonzales was with the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Germany. U.S.-Iran hostilities have escalated since a ceasefire agreement fell apart. Trump has greenlit continuous strikes on Iran’s military infrastructure.
The U.S. Central Command intends to dismantle ISIS networks, averting any resurgence of the group.