Key facts
- Democrats are urging President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran following the deaths of three U.S. troops.
- US forces have launched a tenth consecutive wave of attacks against Iranian targets.
- Two U.S. soldiers were killed in a strike on Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan, and a third service member died in northern Iraq.
- Iran has vowed to carry out retaliatory strikes against U.S. Gulf allies.
- The New York Times reported that Iranian forces carried out earlier, undisclosed strikes against U.S. military targets in Jordan.
- The total number of U.S. service members killed since the war began on February 28 has reached at least 17.
Democrats are urging President Donald Trump to halt the war with Iran following the deaths of three U.S. troops, amid escalating tensions and a tenth consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iranian targets. The calls for de-escalation come as concerns grow over climbing casualties and Iranian threats of retaliation against U.S. Gulf allies.
President Trump has stated that the U.S. strikes honor American service members killed in the conflict and vowed that Iran would pay for the deaths of U.S. soldiers. Meanwhile, Iran has claimed to have targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria, and reported explosions of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Jordan shot down three Iranian missiles, and Kuwait intercepted Iranian drones.
The Pentagon confirmed the deaths of First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, in a strike on Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan. A third service member was killed in northern Iraq in what was described as a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance. The New York Times reported that Iranian forces carried out earlier, undisclosed strikes against U.S. military targets in Jordan, which resulted in casualties and damage not revealed by the Pentagon.
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chris Murphy and House leader Hakeem Jeffries, have criticized Trump's handling of the war, with some accusing him of losing control and others calling the conflict a "disaster." Senator Mark Warner noted hundreds of wounded U.S. personnel, while Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Ted Lieu are pushing for War Powers Resolutions to restrain the president. Senator Jeanne Shaheen advocated for a return to diplomacy.
Republicans, however, have largely remained supportive of Trump's actions. Representative James Comer stated that a military response was essential, while Representative Riley Moore suggested Iran might be receiving targeting information from Russia or China and called for cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council partners.
Brent crude oil prices surpassed $90 a barrel due to concerns over potential supply disruptions. The total number of U.S. service members killed since the war began on February 28 has reached at least 17, with an estimated 1,700 Iranian civilians killed.