No Confirmed U.S. Casualties in Opening Phase of Operation Epic Fury

Pentagon Reports No Confirmed U.S. Casualties After Initial Strikes

The U.S. Department of Defense has reported no confirmed American casualties following the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-led strike campaign targeting Iranian assets on February 28, 2026. According to official statements from the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), no U.S. service members have been reported killed or wounded during the initial operation or its immediate aftermath.

The announcement follows a series of coordinated strikes against Iranian military targets and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran across the region.

Standard Casualty Reporting Procedures

In modern U.S. military operations, confirmed casualties are typically disclosed through formal Department of Defense channels shortly after verification and next-of-kin notification. As of the current reporting window, no such announcements have been issued in connection with Operation Epic Fury.

Defense officials have acknowledged that U.S. forces stationed throughout the Middle East remain on heightened alert due to ongoing Iranian missile and unmanned aerial system activity. However, they have stated that existing force-protection protocols and layered missile defense systems appear to have functioned as intended during the initial phase of hostilities.

Iranian Retaliation and Regional Activity

Iran launched retaliatory strikes following U.S. and Israeli operations, targeting multiple sites associated with Western military infrastructure in the region. Regional reporting indicated explosions and air defense interceptions at or near facilities linked to U.S. operations.

Despite these incidents, there has been no independent confirmation of American fatalities or injuries tied to the retaliatory attacks. Defense analysts note that early battlefield assessments can evolve as additional information becomes available but emphasize that the absence of confirmed U.S. losses suggests the operation relied heavily on stand-off strike capabilities. These include air-launched and missile-based systems designed to limit direct exposure of personnel to hostile fire.

Ongoing Operational Risk

U.S. officials have cautioned that the operational environment remains volatile. Military planners have long assessed that direct confrontation with Iran carries inherent risk due to Tehran’s ballistic missile inventory, drone capabilities, and network of regional proxy forces.

While no U.S. combat losses have been verified at this stage, Pentagon leaders have reiterated that the risk of escalation persists. Force posture adjustments and defensive measures remain in effect across U.S. installations in the Middle East.

Situation Remains Fluid

Defense authorities stress that casualty information can change as operations continue and additional intelligence is reviewed. For now, the absence of confirmed American casualties distinguishes the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury from previous Middle East engagements in which early losses were recorded.

Officials continue to monitor developments closely, indicating that further updates will be provided as conditions evolve.