Six US Service Members Killed Following US-Israeli Strikes on Iran

CENTCOM confirmed that six US service members have been killed following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, with the remains of two recently recovered. Earlier, four were reported dead after one succumbed to injuries. The strikes, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” killed senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Tehran to retaliate with drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries, primarily targeting US bases.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the remains of two additional service members killed in action during US-Israeli joint attacks on Iran have been recovered. In a statement posted on X on Monday, CENTCOM said, "As of 4 pm ET (2100GMT), March 2, six US service members have been killed in action. US forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran's initial attacks in the region."
The statement emphasized that "major combat operations" are ongoing across the region, and the identities of the deceased service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been officially notified. Earlier on Monday, CENTCOM had reported that four US service members had died after one who had been seriously wounded in Iran’s initial attacks succumbed to injuries sustained in the strike.
American broadcaster CBS News, citing a US official and a source familiar with the matter, reported that all six of the US service members were killed in Kuwait as a result of the same Iranian retaliatory attack over the weekend. The incident is part of escalating tensions in the region following joint US-Israeli military operations on Iranian targets. According to previous reports, 18 other US service members have been wounded since the operations began on Saturday, which have been described by military officials as “Operation Epic Fury.”
The US-Israeli strikes targeted strategic locations in Iran and resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking one of the most significant escalations in the region in recent years. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes aimed at multiple Gulf countries, with a primary focus on US military bases and personnel in the area. The attacks have intensified concerns over regional stability, with the potential for further escalation between US and Iranian forces.
Military analysts have noted that the strikes and counterstrikes highlight the growing volatility of the situation in the Gulf, as both sides continue to demonstrate their willingness to target high-value assets. CENTCOM has reiterated its commitment to protecting US personnel and interests in the region while coordinating closely with allies to manage the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, efforts to recover the remains of fallen service members are ongoing, and US authorities are continuing to provide support to the families of those affected by the conflict.