An American service member who was seriously wounded by Iranian strikes has died, bringing the US death toll from the fighting that began over the weekend to four, the military said on Monday.
US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, said on Sunday that three service members were killed and five were seriously hurt during combat operations against Iran. It marked the military’s first acknowledgement of any US losses since American forces began striking Iran alongside Israel on Saturday.
“The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” CENTCOM said in a statement on Monday.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” the military said. “The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.”
Other US service members have suffered shrapnel injuries and concussions.
CENTCOM did not specify how or where the service members were killed and wounded or whether the losses were sustained during offensive or defensive operations. It has declined to offer additional information.
President Donald Trump vowed on Sunday to seek vengeance for US service members killed.
“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,” he said in a video address.
“And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is,” Trump said. The president had warned on Saturday that the US could suffer losses as a result of the conflict with Iran.
US Central Command
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” Trump said in a video address to the nation. “But we’re doing this — not for now — we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
CENTCOM’s casualty update came shortly after it acknowledged that three American F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait in ” an apparent friendly fire incident.” All six crew members ejected and were safely recovered, the military said, adding that they are in stable condition.
Dozens of people have been killed and wounded by Iranian strikes in Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and hundreds of people in Iran have been killed and wounded by US and Israeli strikes, according to local authorities.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it had killed 40 senior Iranian commanders, as well as the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A wide range of American forces — on land, in the air, and at sea — have participated in the airstrikes against Iran, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) command and control facilities, air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.
US forces have also been involved in air defense operations to shield American assets and allies across the Middle East from hundreds of Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks.
Iran has fired missiles at US forces based in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE and has also targeted other Middle East countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq.
