HOUSTON, Texas — A 19-year-old soldier from North Texas was among two U.S. service members killed in Jordan during recent Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, as the number of American military personnel killed in the escalating conflict with Iran rose to 17, U.S. officials said.

The deaths mark another significant loss for the U.S. military as tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify following weeks of missile exchanges, drone attacks and military operations involving Iran and its regional allies.

Defense officials said the two service members were stationed in Jordan when their position came under attack. The identity of the second service member has not been released pending notification of family members.

The loss of the young North Texas soldier has drawn condolences from military leaders and elected officials across Texas, highlighting the growing impact of the overseas conflict on communities back home.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would continue military operations aimed at protecting international shipping routes and countering missile and drone launch sites used by Iran-backed forces.

“The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway,” Rubio said. “The United States is involved not only in protecting ships navigating those waters but also in targeting the locations from which missiles and drones are launched.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, with a significant share of global oil shipments passing through the narrow passage. Any disruption to maritime traffic has the potential to affect global energy markets and international trade.

Rubio said Washington remains open to a diplomatic solution but acknowledged that prospects for negotiations remain uncertain after Iranian leaders announced they had suspended an interim peace agreement.

The latest casualties come as U.S. forces across the Middle East remain on heightened alert amid continued threats from Iranian-backed groups and ongoing military operations throughout the region.

Military officials have not announced whether additional defensive measures will be implemented at U.S. installations in Jordan following the attack.

The deaths underscore the growing human cost of the conflict, which has increasingly drawn American forces into direct confrontations while raising concerns about broader regional instability.

The Pentagon has said it continues to assess the security situation across the Middle East while supporting allied forces and protecting U.S. personnel stationed throughout the region.