Three American soldiers have been killed since Friday, with a fourth missing and presumed dead — the first US combat fatalities from enemy fire since March. Donald Trump has promised that Iran will pay 'many times over' for each death.
The US president wrote on Truth Social: 'Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!' He said the directive had been passed to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Daniel Caine, and every leader in the military.
“Trump vows Iran will pay 'many times over' after three US soldiers killed and one missing in Jordan.”
The deaths occurred at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Carrollton, Texas, was killed on July 17 during an enemy attack. She had graduated from Hebron High School in the spring of 2025. Lewisville Independent School District said: 'She gave her life in that service, and our district is heartbroken by her loss. Not long ago, Isabella walked the halls of Hebron as a student, a classmate and a friend. Her decision to serve after graduation speaks volumes of her character.' The district added: 'We are humbled by Isabella's service and by the devotion to duty that guided her. We will honour her life and the example she set.'
The following day, First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan, 25, was killed in an Iranian attack on the same base. Raised in Hawaii and assigned to Fort Bragg, he was just 25 years old. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said on Facebook: 'He was just 25 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, and we owe him a debt of gratitude. We continue to pray for the safety of all the brave men and women serving our nation and for their families.'
A third soldier, Gabriel Edwards, is presumed dead after a Navy helicopter made an emergency landing. At least 17 American soldiers have been killed so far in the war.
A former White House official said Trump 'knows Iran is trying to provoke him into another unpopular escalation and damage him further politically in advance of the midterms — yet he needs to respond to direct attacks on US troops.' The official added that 'anything that provides Trump a face-saving way to de-escalate is bad for the Iranian hardliners.'
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted to the deaths on social media: 'Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.'
The threat of retribution comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire that risk a return to full-blown conflict.
