US faces difficulty protecting 50,000 troops from Iranian attacks, media reports

The United States is facing significant challenges in protecting approximately 50,000 of its military personnel in the Middle East from Iranian attacks, as Tehran still possesses a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones. A report by The Wall Street Journal on Monday indicated that three Iranian missiles successfully penetrated US air defence systems during an attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan last week. The missiles’ ability to breach American air defences underscores the difficulties Washington faces in safeguarding its forces in the region, according to the report. Citing US officials, the newspaper reported that the Iranian strike hit prefabricated barracks at the base housing American military personnel. The report also mentioned that the remains of another victim were found at the base, though their identity could not yet be confirmed. Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on 18 July that two US service members were killed and another went missing following an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The attack was one of three missile strikes within a 24-hour period, according to US officials. Meanwhile, CBS News, citing the Pentagon, reported that nearly 100 US military personnel were wounded in a series of Iranian attacks on American bases in the Middle East. The United States and Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding on 18 June to end the conflict that erupted on 28 February. However, since 8 July, the US military has launched several waves of attacks against Iran, claiming it was responding to Tehran’s actions against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by attacking several US military bases in the Middle East, accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire agreement. On 9 July, US President Donald Trump declared that the truce between the two countries was no longer in effect.