NYT: US soldier killed in Iraq was not explosives specialist

A U.S. service member killed in northern Iraq while handling a downed Iranian drone was not an explosives specialist, The New York Times reported, citing an unnamed U.S. official.

The official said the soldier was killed on July 18 during efforts to dispose of the drone, while another service member was injured by debris or shrapnel when the aircraft exploded. An investigation into the incident is underway, according to the report.

The U.S. Department of Defense said on July 19 that a third American military personnel member had died during a period of intensified exchanges of attacks involving Iran, as tensions escalated and Washington increased its military presence in the Middle East.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the service member was killed on July 18 in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone. A second U.S. service member was wounded and was receiving treatment for a minor injury.

CENTCOM also said that two U.S. service members had been killed and one remained missing in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. The command added that U.S. personnel had later recovered unidentified remains from the site and that an identification process was underway.

CENTCOM Update on Recently Fallen U.S. Service Members

TAMPA, Fla. — 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.…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 19, 2026

The command said it was withholding further details, including the identities of those killed or missing, to allow time for family notifications.

The deaths occurred as the United States and Iran faced a sharp escalation in military exchanges. The U.S. military said it had launched another wave of strikes against Iran on July 19, marking the ninth consecutive night of operations, while diplomatic efforts between the two sides remained stalled.

By Sabina Mammadli