What we know about the U.S. service members killed in the Iran war
What we know about the U.S. service members killed in the Iran war
Four of six U.S. service members killed in the conflict with Iran were fatally injured when a drone struck a Kuwaiti port on Sunday, according to the U.S. Army Reserve Command. The incident occurred during a military operation that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran early Saturday. The attack used precision munitions from multiple platforms and one-way drones, as reported by the Central Command.
A statement from the Army Reserve Command identified the four casualties as members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines. Their names were released Tuesday. However, the identities of the remaining two U.S. service members and the exact causes of their deaths remain undisclosed. In addition to the fatalities, 18 others were seriously wounded, as revealed by a U.S. official on Monday.
“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, head of the Army Reserve.
Iran’s Red Crescent reported nearly 800 civilian deaths from the strikes, though the U.S. government has not confirmed this figure. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in the initial attacks. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones across neighboring countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have deployed 230 attack drones targeting U.S. bases in Erbil, Iraq, and the Kuwaiti bases of Ali Al Salem and Arifjan. The operation, which could extend beyond several weeks, was justified by President Donald Trump as a necessary response to an imminent threat, following the collapse of nuclear negotiations.
“We projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that,” Trump stated Monday.
Some lawmakers have challenged the administration’s rationale, questioning Trump’s authority to initiate the strikes without congressional approval. Democrats and certain Republicans are preparing to vote on a measure that would limit further military actions in Iran. The conflict continues to evolve, with ongoing assessments of its impact on both military and civilian populations.
Reporting by NBC News’ producer & off-air reporter covering global defense stories. Additional contributions from national security reporter Gordon Lubold, correspondent Courtney Kube, and reporter Phil Helsel.
