US service member killed in Iraq as troops recover unidentified remains in Jordan: CENTCOM

A U.S. service member was killed Saturday in northern Iraq during an operation involving explosive remnants from an Iranian drone that had been shot down, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday. 

Officials said a second American service member was wounded in the same incident. 

The disclosure came as CENTCOM also confirmed that unidentified remains were discovered Sunday during the search for a U.S. service member who had been reported missing in Jordan after a separate Iranian attack on Friday. 

An Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, on March 1, 2026.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner launches a Tomahawk land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 1, 2026. (U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Authorities said the fatal incident in Iraq occurred after American forces recovered the downed Iranian drone and began working with the explosive material that remained at the site. 

“A U.S. service member in northern Iraq was killed in action July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. 

Iranian Shahed drone

Iran has coordinated a mass drone warfare campaign across the Middle East, with Western sites among the targets. (Getty Images )

The military did not immediately release further details about the incident, but said the other service member injured in the operation is receiving medical treatment. 

In Jordan, officials said the unidentified remains recovered Sunday will also undergo an examination to determine their identity. 

“After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today,” CENTCOM said. “An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”

Billboard shows Iran's three supreme leaders.

A billboard depicting Iran’s supreme leaders since 1979: (L to R) Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini (until 1989), Ali Khamenei (until 2026), and Mojtaba Khamenei (current) is displayed above a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026.  (AFP/Via Getty Images)

Friday’s Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Jordan killed two U.S. service members, CENTCOM previously said. 

Four American service members were also medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals, officials said. They have since been discharged. 

“CENTCOM is withholding additional information, including the identities of the missing and fallen warriors, out of respect for the families during the notification process,” the agency said. 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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