Three US soldiers have been killed in recent days as the United States and Iran resumed exchanging military strikes.
On Saturday, a soldier died in Iraq while attempting a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone. A second soldier sustained minor injuries and is expected to recover.
Days earlier, two service members were killed and four others injured in an attack in Jordan. During a search for a missing service member there, military personnel discovered unidentified human remains.
In response, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military bases and drone sites. The exchange has reignited open conflict between the two nations after a brief ceasefire.
The identities of the deceased soldiers have not been released. Officials are withholding names until families have been notified.
The Secretary of State stated the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution following the renewed hostilities. He emphasized that the international community must decide whether Iran should control a critical global waterway.
The remarks referenced the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran targeted vessels last week. The US responded with a new wave of strikes and reimposed a blockade on the strait after multiple cargo ships were attacked.
Iran has also continued missile and drone strikes against US allies in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
The US president warned that further strikes could cripple Iran by targeting bridges and power plants unless the country de-escalates. He cautioned that Iran must reach a deal or face the loss of its remaining infrastructure.
US forces employed kamikaze drones against Iranian naval facilities at Bandar Abbas. The weekend operations marked the first combat use of uncrewed surface vessels as strike weapons by the US military.
