The United States launched a ninth consecutive night of strikes targeting Iran early Monday, as the Pentagon identified two American soldiers killed in an Iranian attack on a Jordanian airbase and U.S. gas prices surged back to an average of $4 a gallon. The escalation marks a dramatic breakdown of the short-lived Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June, with both sides accusing each other of violations and the death toll among U.S. service members reaching 17, according to The Hill.

Ninth Night of US Strikes

The United States launched a ninth night of strikes targeting Iran early Monday, according to The Guardian. President Donald Trump said the new attacks were carried out “in honor” of the dead service members. The strikes follow the announcement of another American service member killed on Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone, bringing the total US deaths to 17.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of “unforgettable lessons” if the US continued attacking, as reported by The Guardian. Trump has threatened to target Iran’s power stations and bridges to compel Tehran to loosen its hold on the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, the US reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, and on Saturday, the military said it had redirected six ships and disabled one since then.

Two US Soldiers Killed in Jordan Identified

The Pentagon on Monday identified the two American soldiers killed in an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. According to The Hill, First Lt. Tyler Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, were killed in action on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Defense Department said they were supporting a US mission against the Islamic State group, as reported by PBS NewsHour. US Central Command said the two service members were killed while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

The deaths reflect the complicated reality that American soldiers do not need to be on the ground in Iran for there to be lethal risks in a conflict involving drones, missiles, and airplanes, according to PBS NewsHour. American forces are arrayed across the Middle East, making other nations targets of Iran as the fighting has escalated after a breakdown in peace talks.

Gas Prices Hit $4 a Gallon

US gas prices jumped to an average of $4 a gallon on Monday as the US and Iran launched more attacks, according to PBS NewsHour. The national average, as reported by motor club federation AAA, was exactly $4, up from $3.14 a year ago. The price is a national average, meaning drivers in some states have been paying well over $4 a gallon for a while, while others pay less. Prices vary between states due to factors ranging from nearby supply to differing tax rates.

Gas prices first went over $4 a gallon on average at the end of March, dipped below that in mid-June, and continued to fall as crude oil prices eased when the US and Iran reached an interim deal, per The Hill. Even then, President Trump expressed frustration that gas prices were not falling as quickly as oil prices. Affordability is likely to be a key issue for voters in the US midterm elections, and higher gas and oil prices can help push up prices for groceries and other goods.

Oil prices have climbed again in recent days as the US and Iran move closer to resuming an all-out war. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 3.2% to $90.95 per barrel on Monday, and benchmark US crude climbed 2.8% to $84.04 per barrel, according to PBS NewsHour.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passed during peacetime, is shut again, sending crude prices shooting up, according to Al Jazeera. On Monday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two “deviant” oil tankers exploded after passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Hill. The IRGC said the ships exploded after they tried to enter and exit the strait through an “unsafe route,” according to the state-run Fars News Agency. The outlet added that the tankers were “instigated.”

The closure of the strait is of critical importance, especially for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which saw their economic security and energy strategy severely affected by export curbs, per Al Jazeera. The war on Iran has brought about the largest disruption to global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies in modern history.

Breakdown of the Islamabad MoU

Both sides have accused each other of violating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they had signed in Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 17, according to Al Jazeera. President Trump has said he views the truce as over, while Iran has said it no longer intends to adhere to the MoU. The MoU had paved a path for the reopening of the strait, which briefly pulled oil prices to par with pre-war levels.

Timeline of Key Events

  • Feb. 28, 2026: War begins; an Iranian drone strike at a civilian port in Kuwait kills six American soldiers, per PBS NewsHour.
  • March 1, 2026: A seventh soldier dies after being wounded in an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, per PBS NewsHour.
  • Late March 2026: Six service members are killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft supporting US operations crashes in Iraq, per PBS NewsHour.
  • June 17, 2026: US and Iran sign the Islamabad MoU, briefly easing tensions and lowering oil prices, per Al Jazeera.
  • July 17-18, 2026: Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan kills two US soldiers, per The Hill.
  • July 19, 2026: A third US service member is killed in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance, per The Guardian.
  • July 20, 2026: US launches ninth night of strikes; gas prices hit $4 a gallon; Pentagon identifies the two soldiers killed in Jordan, per multiple sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are gas prices rising?

Gas prices are rising because the US-Iran conflict has disrupted oil supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The closure of the strait and the breakdown of the Islamabad MoU have sent crude oil prices climbing, pushing US gasoline prices to an average of $4 a gallon, according to PBS NewsHour.

How many US soldiers have been killed in the war with Iran?

The total number of US service members killed in the war with Iran is 17, according to US Central Command, as reported by PBS NewsHour. The most recent deaths include two soldiers killed in an Iranian attack on a Jordanian airbase and a third killed in northern Iraq.

What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it important?

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passed during peacetime, according to Al Jazeera. Its closure by Iran has severely disrupted global energy supplies and driven up oil prices.

What was the Islamabad MoU?

The Islamabad MoU was a memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran on June 17, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan, which briefly eased tensions and allowed for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, per Al Jazeera. Both sides have since accused each other of violating the agreement, and President Trump has said the truce is over.

What are the broader implications of the conflict?

The conflict has led to the largest disruption to global oil and LNG supplies in modern history, affecting not only energy markets but also the diversification strategies of Gulf Cooperation Council states, which rely on regional stability for tourism, aviation, and investment, according to Al Jazeera. Higher gas prices are also expected to be a key issue in the US midterm elections.

What Happens Next

The US-Iran conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with the US launching a ninth night of strikes and Iran retaliating with attacks on US forces and oil tankers. The death toll among US service members continues to rise, and gas prices are expected to remain elevated as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. President Trump has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, while Iran’s supreme leader has warned of severe consequences. The breakdown of the Islamabad MoU has left both sides without a diplomatic off-ramp, raising the risk of further escalation. Readers should monitor developments in the coming days, as the conflict’s impact on global energy markets, regional stability, and US domestic politics deepens.