Donald Trump threatens Iran after US soldier deaths
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran will "pay many times over" for every American soldier killed, directing the order to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Daniel Caine. The United States has reported 17 service members killed since the conflict escalated in February, including two soldiers killed at a base in Jordan and one in Iraq during a controlled detonation, with dozens more wounded. In response, U.S. forces have carried out a ninth consecutive night of airstrikes targeting Iranian sites such as the under‑construction Darkhovin nuclear plant and the port city of Bushehr, while also striking missile and drone launch sites across Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned it would shut the Strait of Hormuz, saying no oil or gas would pass while U.S. aggression continues. The New York Times, citing U.S. officials, reported that the Pentagon had concealed three Iranian attacks on U.S. forces in Jordan that injured dozens of troops and damaged helicopters, a fact omitted from official briefings. The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory warning of an "unforeseen escalation" in the Middle East, noting that the security environment remains complex and could disrupt flights and airspace. The heightened tensions have already driven up global oil prices, reflecting the broader economic impact of the escalating US‑Iran confrontation.