PNN – An Arab expert, pointing to Iran’s military capabilities, stated that the killing of American soldiers alters the equation of the conflict.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; citing Al Jazeera, Iran’s announcement regarding the targeting of a US military base in Jordan—which resulted in the death and injury of several American service members and was acknowledged by Washington (albeit without specifying the exact location)—has raised questions about the ability of Iranian missiles and drones to penetrate advanced air defense systems and reach their targets, particularly as military tensions between the United States and Iran escalate across various fronts.
In this context, Brigadier General Elias Hanna, a Lebanese military and strategic analyst, offered his assessment of the current situation and explained the nature of this development, noting that the fact that Iranian missiles reached their targets demonstrates that no defense network—regardless of its level of sophistication—provides 100% protection.
He added that Iranian missiles have previously reached Israel (occupied Palestine), despite Israel possessing advanced air defense systems such as the Iron Dome and the Arrow systems. Consequently, the presence of systems like THAAD and Patriot at U.S. bases or elsewhere in the region does not necessarily prevent missiles and drones from penetrating these defenses.
The Arab expert emphasized that the killing of American soldiers could alter the conflict’s equation at the tactical level, noting that current events signal a new phase in the exchange of pressure between Washington and Tehran.
He pointed out that, in addition to targeting infrastructure related to the control of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. has expanded the scope of its attacks and is pursuing a strategy centered on intensifying the naval blockade and increasing the economic cost for Iran.
The aforementioned regional affairs expert stated that, in response, Iran’s reaction to US attacks follows two parallel tracks:
– First, disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which impacts the global economy and regional nations.
– Second, expanding the geographical scope of targets—such as Iranian drones and missiles reaching Jordanian territory.
Elias Hanna stated that while the U.S. has not yet disclosed the details of the incident that resulted in the deaths of its soldiers in Jordan, the findings of the American investigation and the nature of the anticipated response—given the ongoing military escalation and the widening scope of the conflict between the United States and Iran—could determine the trajectory of the next phase.
Last night, CENTCOM acknowledged the deaths of two U.S. military personnel in Jordan following a retaliatory attack by Iran.
In an official statement, CENTCOM announced details regarding U.S. military casualties in Jordan resulting from retaliatory drone and missile strikes by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to CENTCOM’s admission, two U.S. service members were killed in these attacks, and another remains missing.
CENTCOM added that the four wounded service members were transported to hospitals in Jordan and discharged after treatment; others who sustained minor injuries returned to their posts.
This U.S. military entity further stated that the identities of the fallen service members would remain confidential for 24 hours following notification of their families, in accordance with military protocols.
However, the U.S. government never discloses the true figures regarding its casualties, and the intensity of Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S. positions suggests that the actual casualty count is far higher than the official figures announced.