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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Abbas delays Palestinian elections again, making more than two decades without vote

Abbas Delays Palestinian Elections Again After Two Decades Without Vote

More than 20 years after Mahmoud Abbas was elected to a four-year…
California homeowners sue local town in driveway property battle

California Homeowners Sue Local Town in Driveway Property Battle

A wealthy California couple is taking its battle over a proposed second…
Delaware neighborhood on edge after masked men with apparent weapons knock on homes

Delaware Neighborhood on Edge as Masked Men Appear Armed at Homes

Security cameras in a Delaware neighborhood captured at least two masked individuals…
Nithya Raman speaks out on LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman Speaks Out on LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman is offering conflicting signals about her…
Inside the protest playbook to vilify Israel on 'global day of action'

Inside the Global Day of Action Protest Playbook Targeting Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Demonstrators, including the headline-grabbing CodePink activists, are expected to…
US Intel community witnesses to 2025 UFO orb incident could testify before Congress

U.S. Intel Witnesses in 2025 UFO Orb Case May Testify to Congress

US intelligence officials who reportedly witnessed a strange procession of orange orbs—including…
Embattled NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels skips 'State of Our Schools' speech

NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels Skips State of Our Schools Speech

Kamar Samuels, New York City’s embattled schools chancellor, has broken with a…
Sacramento mail theft sparks fears stolen ballots could keep voters from voting

Sacramento Mail Theft Raises Fears Stolen Ballots Could Disenfranchise Voters

A brazen daytime mail theft in Sacramento has raised election concerns after…
Ole Miss toxicology reports expected soon and results may trigger anti-fentanyl law, official says

Toxicology: Same Controlled Substances in 2 Dead Ole Miss Students

Federal court records obtained by News Outlet indicate that the same three…
Pope Leo announces tumor on lung, surgery planned in 'next few days'

Pope Leo Announces Lung Tumor, Surgery Planned Within Days

BREAKING: Pope Leo announces surgery to remove tumor Pope Leo XIV said…
Letitia James faces new push to boot her from Cornell rape probe over alleged bias: court docs

Bias Claim Spurs Push to Remove NY AG James From Cornell Rape Probe

Legal experts clash over New York AG Letitia James’s role in Cornell…
Cash App users could receive up to $2,500 in data breach $15M settlement

Cash App Data Breach Settlement: Users May Claim Up to $2,500

Some eligible Cash App users may receive payments of up to $2,500…