3 U.S. Killed, 5 Wounded as Operation Epic Fury Targets Iran

U.S. Service Members Killed and Wounded in Iran Operations

Three American service members were killed and five others seriously wounded during ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Sunday. The announcement marks the first publicly disclosed U.S. fatalities since the start of the current campaign.

In a statement, CENTCOM said several additional personnel sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of returning to duty. The command described the situation as fluid and stated that major combat operations remain underway.

The identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of their families, consistent with Department of Defense policy.

Operation Epic Fury Underway

The current U.S. campaign, designated Operation Epic Fury, began at approximately 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday. According to CENTCOM, the operation involves coordinated air and missile strikes targeting sites inside Iran.

U.S. forces have employed one-way attack drones and long-range precision munitions. Released video footage shows U.S. Navy vessels launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and Army units firing Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets from High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The ATACMS platform has a range of up to 186 miles.

CENTCOM has not disclosed the specific targets struck or provided details regarding the circumstances that led to the reported casualties.

Israeli Participation and Regional Escalation

The U.S. strikes began alongside extensive Israeli air and missile operations against Iranian targets. The joint escalation followed heightened regional tensions.

President Donald Trump announced late Saturday that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, had been killed in airstrikes. Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed the claim as of this reporting.

The broader operational objectives of the U.S. and Israeli campaign have not been formally outlined, though officials have described the strikes as part of an ongoing response effort.

Naval Engagement and Missile Claims

On Sunday, CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces had sunk an Iranian frigate during the course of operations. The command did not specify the location of the engagement or the methods used.

CENTCOM also rejected Iranian claims that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln had been struck by four ballistic missiles. In a public statement, the command asserted that the carrier was not hit and that the missiles did not approach the vessel.

No additional damage assessments or casualty figures have been released. U.S. officials continue to characterize the operational environment as dynamic, with further updates expected as events develop.