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Iran live updates: US launches airstrikes after deadly attack on troops in Jordan

Two service members were killed, and one is missing after the attack.

ByDavid Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 12:07 AM EDT

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange relatively limited strikes despite the signing of the memorandum and amid the continuation of peace talks, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz the primary flashpoint.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jul 18, 2026, 5:39 PM EDT

Trump speaks out after service members' deaths

Trump reacted to the deaths of the two servicemembers who were killed in action in Jordan, telling NewsNation in a phone interview that it is "very sad, it’s a very sad thing."

"We hate to see it happen. It’s in service to our country," Trump told the station, according to a reporter.

President Donald Trump boards Marine One at the Ellipse near the White House, July 17, 2026 in Washington.
Tom Brenner/Getty Images

According to the reporter, the president then reiterated his objective of "never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

Trump was also asked to react to Iran’s comments earlier today about suspending its commitments to the MOU.

"I couldn’t care less," Trump reportedly told NewsNation.

-ABC News' Emily Chang

Jul 18, 2026, 5:08 PM EDT

UAE calls for regional de-escalation, condemns targeting of civilian facilities

The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates expressed "deep concern" over the regional developments in a statement on Saturday and called for "immediate de-escalation."

PHOTO: A heavily-damaged bridge which was hit by a US strike is pictured along the road connecting Roudan and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, on July 18, 2026.
A heavily-damaged bridge which was hit by a US strike is pictured along the road connecting Roudan and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, on July 18, 2026. The United States hit Iran on July 17, with Tehran accusing US forces of striking civilians sites and drawing Iranian threats of reprisals on regional infrastructure. A battle over the strategic Strait of Hormuz has rekindled the war in the Middle East and the foes have traded fire for six days running.
Amir Hossein Khorgooei/ISNA via AFP via Getty Images

The UAE foreign ministry added that the targeting of civilian infrastructure and civilian facilities in the region, "constitutes a flagrant and grave violation of the established principles and provisions of international law."

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Jul 18, 2026, 5:08 PM EDT

Military deaths mark 1st US combat deaths in 4 months

The two U.S. servicemembers killed in action in Jordan on Friday are the first U.S. combat deaths since the early days of the war.

The last combat death occurred on March 8.

That was from injuries sustained during a March 1 retaliation strike on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia from Iran.

In early July, a Navy pilot died in a helicopter crash during an incident that was described as not having been caused by hostile action.

-ABC News' Emily Chang, Steve Beynon and Jonathan Karl

Jul 18, 2026, 4:50 PM EDT

EU, Gulf states condemn Iranian attacks on regional countries

The European Union and Bahrain, in its capacity as Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and regional countries, reaffirming that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is guaranteed under international law, in a joint statement Saturday.

The statement also rejects "any claims of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz by any state" and any attempt to impose permits, fees or restrictions on passage.

They called on Iran to end all attacks and interference with shipping and pledged continued cooperation to protect maritime security, while also supporting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis.

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