Trump orders CENTCOM to 'open the gates of hell' after US troops killed, launches strikes on Iran
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, July 18, ordered US Central Command (CENTCOM) to intensify military operations against Iran after two American service members were killed in missile and drone attacks in Jordan, according to US officials.
The directive was followed by another round of US airstrikes on Iran, marking more than a week of continuous military action against Iranian targets. The escalation came after the Pentagon confirmed the deaths of two US troops and reported that another service member remained missing following Iranian attacks in Jordan.
Trump orders expanded US strikes after troops are killed in Jordan
According to US officials, Trump instructed CENTCOM to "open the gates of hell" following the attack that killed American personnel. Another US official added that the latest operation would be "much more extensive and larger than previous nights."
Trump ORDERS PENTAGON to ‘OPEN THE GATES OF HELL’ on Iran after US TROOPS KILLED https://t.co/e9aWk1NqLQ pic.twitter.com/JnvkkKzAUz
— RT (@RT_com) July 18, 2026
US Central Command later confirmed it had launched another round of airstrikes against Iran at Trump's direction.
"The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night," CENTCOM said in a statement.
Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
Earlier in the day, CENTCOM announced that "two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as US Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing."
CENTCOM Statement on Recently Fallen, Missing U.S. Service Members
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. — On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally,…
The military said four additional service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan but have since been discharged, while others who sustained minor injuries have returned to duty. Officials said the identities of the deceased would be withheld until their families had been notified.
“The president telling me over the phone and it's very sad. He said it's a very sad thing. We hate to see it happen….” pic.twitter.com/nHN3WbYVsi
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 18, 2026
Trump briefly addressed the deaths while speaking to NewsNation. "We hate to see it happen," the president said, calling the incident "a very sad thing."
Godspeed, heroes.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 18, 2026
Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve. https://t.co/GIcfNdAol0
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also responded on social media, writing, "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."
US-Iran conflict escalates after ceasefire collapses
The latest strikes came amid a week of intensified military exchanges between the United States and Iran after an earlier ceasefire unraveled.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written statement that America's "repeated breaches" of the agreement had shown that the "signature of the US president is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility."
The repeated breaches of the agreement by the Great Satan [the US] regarding the MOU signed by the Presidents of Iran and the US have once again laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US President is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility.
— Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) July 18, 2026
"Now that the American enemy is seeking to escalate the conflict thereby incurring even heavier costs and further humiliation, it should know that the noble nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons in store for it," Khamenei said, issuing a warning.
US officials said the latest strikes were intended both to respond directly to the attack on American personnel and reduce Iran's ability to threaten regional shipping routes.
The renewed operation followed a week in which Washington reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports while Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, further heightening tensions in the region. US officials have not indicated how long the current military campaign is expected to continue.
