Three U.S. Service Members Killed in Joint Operation Against Iran

U.S. Central Command announced that three American service members were killed and five others seriously wounded during Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iranian military sites. Several additional personnel sustained minor injuries and are expected to return to duty.

The operation commenced on February 28, 2026, with coordinated air and missile strikes aimed at Iranian military infrastructure. Notably, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the initial phase of the offensive.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and U.S. military installations in the region. Despite these attacks, U.S. Central Command reported no combat-related injuries among American forces.

President Donald Trump acknowledged the potential for casualties in such operations, stating, "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties, that often happens in war."

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements and heightened tensions across the region.