Three U.S. service members have been killed in action in Iranian strikes as part of Operation Epic Fury, according to U.S. Central Command.
In addition to the three killed, five have been seriously wounded. CENTCOM added that several other service members “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions,” and are not in the process of returning to duty.
CENTCOM described the situation as “fluid” and would not release further information, including identities, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified. It is unclear if those killed were stationed on the ground at one of the bases in the region, at sea or in the air.
Those killed mark the first casualties of Operation Epic Fury, which began Saturday in the early morning hours and led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The fatalities come on the heels of CENTCOM announcing that U.S. forces had struck an Iranian Naval Jamaran-class ship, saying that the vessel “is currently sinking at the bottom of the Gulf of Oman” – pier side.
In retaliation for the coordinated joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against the Islamic regime, Iran has been carrying out strikes against Gulf nations housing U.S. bases and troops, including the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain.
On Saturday, CENTCOM downplayed the damage sustained to bases in the region, describing it as “minimal.”
President Donald Trump warned the U.S. “may have casualties” when he addressed the nation and world shortly after the strikes began.
The president, who has been overseeing the operations from his Palm Beach home, is scheduled to return to Washington Sunday.