CENTCOM announces U.S. service member dies while detonating Iranian drone

“A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury," the agency says.

Published: July 19, 2026 4:24pm

Updated: July 19, 2026 5:08pm

U.S. Central Command said on Sunday that a U.S. service member recently died while trying to detonate a drone in Iran.

"Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two U.S. service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing," CENTCOM wrote.

"Separately, 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. A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury," the agency added.

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 social media post read.