US Intensifies Strikes Inside Iran; About 140 US Troops Wounded, Seventh Soldier Dead

U.S. military leaders announced an intensified campaign inside Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying Tuesday would be "the most intense day yet of US strikes inside Iran," while Hegseth also warned "there will be more casualties."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the broader war aim in maximal terms, saying the war’s aim is a popular overthrow of Iran’s government and asserting "we are breaking their bones."

CBS News

Meanwhile, U.S. officials expressed displeasure at some Israeli actions, with NPR reporting that "U.S. officials were displeased with Israeli airstrikes that hit an oil depot in Tehran over the weekend," and markets showed signs of volatility after presidential signals about the conflict's possible duration.

The Pentagon provided an initial tally of American casualties, saying "about 140 US troops have been injured, eight severely,"

CBS noted that a seventh U.S. service member had died from wounds sustained during Iran's initial attacks, reporting "Day 7th U.S. service member dies from Iran's initial attacks, Central Command says" and that "This is the seventh to be killed in the Middle East since the started on Feb. 28."

NPR

Lawmakers and independent analysts have demanded reviews of strikes that produced high civilian casualties and questions about potential U.S. involvement in some incidents, with NPR quoting senators urging a "thorough" investigation after independent analysis suggested a strike "may have been conducted by U.S. forces."

The U.S. has taken material losses as well: CBS reported "As of Saturday, the U.S. has lost nine MQ-9s in its current military effort against Iran, according to two U.S. officials," noting the total cost of those drones exceeds $270 million.

“US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would be the most intense day yet of US strikes inside Iran”

The Boston Globe

NPR and other outlets have documented the strike patterns and imagery surrounding key incidents, with NPR reporting that satellite imagery and expert review found a strike on a girls elementary school had "appeared consistent with a precision airstrike on a nearby military compound — raising questions about whether outdated targeting information contributed to the school being hit,"

NPR added that "A video released by Iranian state media on Sunday showed what appeared to be a U.S. cruise missile striking the compound."

CBS reported Iranian state media saying "Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei... has been named Iran's new supreme leader,"

Boston Globe coverage emphasized Iranian leaders' defiance, quoting Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissing ceasefire suggestions and citing Ali Larijani writing on X that "Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats."

CBS News

At the same time, international leaders have pushed for de-escalation — NPR reported French President Emmanuel Macron "urged Tehran to stop attacks on Iran's neighbors" and said he "stressed the need for Iran to immediately cease its strikes against countries in the region."

Calls for investigation and accountability are mounting as evidence and political statements collide: NPR recounted senators who "pointed to independent analysis suggesting the strike 'may have been conducted by U.S. forces,' and urged a full review,"

NPR noted broader concerns after the school strike left observers "horrified" at reports that "between 165 and 180 people were killed, most of them children."

NPR

The Boston Globe recorded White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defending the president, quoting her saying Trump "is not making anything up" as he offered varying justifications for the war.

CBS's reporting on battlefield losses and casualties has further intensified congressional and public scrutiny.