Three U.S. service members have been killed and five others seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday morning.
“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions - and are in the process of being returned to duty,” CENTCOM posted on X at 9:30 a.m. on March 1. “Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.
“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.”
The joint U.S.-Israel operation, which officials say was planned for months and justified as necessary to disable Iran’s nuclear capabilities, took place Saturday.
The operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous other senior Iranian leaders, The Associated Press reported.
In a social media post, President Donald Trump cautioned that "heavy and pinpoint bombing" would continue throughout the week and even longer, AP reported.
CBS News reports that Iran's military has lashed out against the strikes with missiles targeting ships and countries across the Middle East. Israeli medics said at least eight people were killed in a blast near Jerusalem.
The deaths of the three service members are the first American casualties reported as a result of the conflict.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.