[Anchor]
The military conflict between the United States and Iran, trapped in a vicious cycle of retaliation, has continued for nine consecutive days. Amid growing concerns over an all-out war, signs of movement to seek diplomatic solutions are being detected once again.
Reporter Yu Deok-gi has the story.
[Reporter]
On July 17 (local time), Iranian missiles struck a U.S. military base stationed in Jordan, causing a powerful explosion.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed and one went missing. On July 19 (local time), one additional body, presumed to be the missing soldier, was recovered.
In Iraq, one U.S. soldier was also killed while dismantling an unexploded drone sent from Iran.
With the number of U.S. soldiers killed by Iranian attacks reaching four in just two days, the U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes across Iran, including the Strait of Hormuz coast, the northwestern city of Tabriz where a missile base is located, and a nuclear power plant construction site in the southwest, continuing airstrikes for nine consecutive days.
[Donald Trump / President of the United States: We hit them very hard again tonight. And it is highly likely that there are three, not two (casualties). This is to honor our great patriots.]
Iran has retaliated by targeting U.S. military bases in neighboring Middle Eastern countries with missiles and drones. It has been focusing its attacks on Jordan, a pro-U.S. nation, for several days, claiming to have destroyed five fighter jets by attacking the U.S. military base at Aqaba Airport.
The current conflict, sparked by Iran's attack on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. military's counter-airstrikes on July 7, is not subsiding but rather expanding, leading U.S. media to raise concerns about the collapse of the end-of-war MOU and the possibility of an all-out war.
Amid fears of falling into a quagmire of endless war, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio has brought the negotiation card back to the table.
[Marco Rubio / U.S. Secretary of State: What I can tell you is that the United States is always open to a diplomatic solution. We have attempted this with Iran several times and will continue to do so in the future.]
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei also officially confirmed that diplomatic contacts are underway, stating that they have received proposals from mediating countries to ease tensions with the United States.
(Video Editing: Kim Byeong-jik, Design: Seo Seung-hyun)
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