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The Daily

As the Iran War Escalates, Is the U.S. Hiding Its Toll?

July 21, 2026 • 26m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

This episode examines the deadly escalation of conflict between the U.S. and Iran following the collapse of their ceasefire, marked by the killing of multiple U.S. service members in Jordan and Iraq. Pentagon reporter Eric Schmidt reveals how the Trump administration has significantly reduced transparency about the war just as it intensifies, with Iran demonstrating renewed military capabilities despite earlier claims of destruction, and the conflict expanding to involve multiple Middle Eastern nations and threatening critical regional waterways.

Fatal Attack on U.S. Forces in Jordan

A devastating Iranian attack on a U.S. air base in Jordan resulted in at least two, possibly three, American soldiers killed when missiles and drones penetrated air defenses. The fallen soldiers were members of an air defense unit, leading investigators to suspect Iran deliberately targeted those defending the base. Combined with another soldier killed in Iraq the following day, these deaths bring the total American casualties in the war to 17, marking a tragic milestone as the ceasefire completely unravels.

  • Iranian missiles and drones breached air defenses at a major Jordan air base, killing at least 2-3 U.S. Army soldiers on Friday
  • The killed soldiers were members of an air defense unit, suggesting Iran may be specifically targeting base defenders
  • Another U.S. soldier was killed in Iraq the following day while detonating an Iranian drone
  • Total American deaths in the war have reached 17
" The Iranians in targeting this base were also trying to specifically target the defenders of the base, the Patriot anti-missile batteries and such. "

Iran's Resilient Military Capabilities

Despite President Trump's earlier claims that Iran's military had been "destroyed," the country has demonstrated robust and lethal capabilities, using the ceasefire period to rebuild and reorganize. Iran retained large numbers of attack drones, mine-laying boats, and missiles, and was able to excavate missile launchers from bombed sites. American officials have grudgingly acknowledged that Iran used the ceasefire months to rebuild its missile and drone capabilities, proving its ability to withstand attacks from both U.S. and Israeli forces.

  • Despite 13,000+ U.S. strikes decimating parts of Iran's Air Force and Navy, Iran retained large numbers of drones, boats, and missiles
  • Iranians excavated missile launchers and missiles from bomb sites and are now launching them back at U.S. forces
  • Iran used the ceasefire period to rebuild missile and drone capabilities specifically designed to close the Strait of Hormuz and threaten regional troops
  • Even in a degraded state, Iran remains a formidable force against the U.S. military in the Middle East
" Even in a degraded state, the Iranians still are quite a formidable force for this American military in the Middle East. "
" They were literally able to dig out from some of the bomb sites, the missile launchers, the missiles themselves, some of which they're now launching back at the United States. "

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