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Operation Epic Fury casualties
U.S. Central Command confirmed that three American service members were killed and multiple others were wounded during Operation Epic Fury and said major combat operations and the response effort are ongoing.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said three American service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded during Operation Epic Fury; several additional personnel suffered minor shrapnel injuries and concussions, and CENTCOM did not disclose the location, said major combat operations and the response effort are ongoing, and will withhold the identities of the deceased until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications.”
CENTCOM said it has not disclosed locations and will withhold the identities of the deceased until next-of-kin notifications are complete.
Multiple outlets reporting from CENTCOM gave consistently similar casualty tallies and described additional personnel with minor shrapnel wounds and concussions who are expected to return to duty.
Trump's response to Iran
President Donald Trump responded by publicly vowing to "avenge" the deaths and by promising continued and expanded striking against Iran.
Trump said heavy bombing would continue as needed and warned that more U.S. casualties were likely as the campaign goes on.
Trump issued stark warnings to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and urged Iranians to rise up.
In public remarks Trump framed the operation as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and said the campaign could last weeks.
Regional strikes and casualties
The U.S.-led strikes and Iran’s subsequent reprisals have produced wider regional clashes and civilian casualties.
“After a reported joint US–Israeli strike on Iran, Tehran launched missiles and drones toward Israel and US bases, prompting Israel to declare a nationwide "special and immediate state of emergency."”
Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. bases and authorities in the Gulf, and the UAE and other countries reported deaths from falling debris or direct hits.
Iranian rockets and drones were reported to have struck sites in Israel and Gulf states, and governments across the region declared emergencies or closed airspace as the exchanges continued.
Political fallout from strikes
The strikes have intensified domestic and international political fallout.
Congressional Democrats sought emergency debates and fuller briefings on objectives, duration and risks to U.S. service members.
Anti-war demonstrations erupted across U.S. cities.
Pentagon officials warned senior leaders the campaign carries major risks, including shortages of critical munitions and uncertain allied support.
Lawmakers and public protesters have pressed for more oversight even as some U.S. officials defended the operation.
Unverified Iran leadership claims
Significant claims about leadership deaths and high casualty counts inside Iran have circulated.
“These claims come from state outlets and currently lack independent confirmation; details remain unverified and the story is evolving.”
Multiple outlets and analysts warn these claims remain unverified and say the situation is evolving.
State media and some regional outlets have made dramatic assertions, including about the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader and senior figures, while independent verification has been lacking and some reports were later questioned.
Observers and fact-checkers have urged caution amid widespread disinformation and conflicting accounts.