Three American service members have been killed and five others seriously injured during ongoing military operations against Iran, according to U.S. Central Command.
In a statement posted Sunday, CENTCOM said: “As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury.” The command added that “Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty,” noting that “Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.” Officials said the fatalities occurred in Kuwait and that the names of the fallen are being withheld until families are notified. The situation, they emphasized, remains fluid.
The casualties come amid a sweeping joint U.S.-Israeli campaign inside Iran. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the start of “major combat operations,” describing coordinated daytime strikes on Iranian military and government sites. Among the targets was a compound in Tehran belonging to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television later confirmed that Khamenei was killed in the assault.
Israeli officials said additional senior Iranian figures, including an adviser to Khamenei, also died in the strikes. On Sunday, Israel reported carrying out further attacks “in the heart of Tehran,” while Iran responded with missile and drone launches aimed at Israel, U.S. bases in the region and several Gulf nations.
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv as Israeli defense systems worked to intercept incoming fire. Israeli medics said at least eight people were killed in a strike near Jerusalem. Across the region, the violence has disrupted travel, shaken major population centers and threatened shipping through key oil routes.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned neighboring countries — including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq — that they could become “legitimate targets” if they allow their territory to be used for attacks on Iran. Inside Iran, officials moved quickly to establish a transitional leadership structure. A governing council has been formed while a successor to Khamenei is considered. Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi was appointed as the jurist member of the interim Leadership Council, joining President Masoud Pezeshkian and judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei in temporarily steering the country.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society reports more than 200 deaths following the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Israeli authorities say 10 people have been killed there since the escalation began, while two deaths were reported in the UAE. In Pakistan, at least nine people died during clashes outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi as protesters attempted to breach the compound.
Speaking Sunday from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, President Trump said that “hundreds” of targets have been hit in Operation Epic Fury. The President also acknowledged the losses, saying, “we expect casualties with something like this,” but added that “but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.” Trump praised the service members who were killed in action and said that there would likely be more military casualties: “As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives. We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen, and sadly, there will likely be more.”
In a separate interview, President Trump told the Daily Mail that he expected the operation “to last about four weeks.”
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