As of March 1, 09:30 Eastern Time, three soldiers were killed and five were seriously wounded during Operation "Epic Fury." Some sustained minor injuries and concussions and will soon be able to return to duty.
CENTCOM emphasizes that combat operations are ongoing, and the situation remains tense. Additional information, including the names of the deceased, will not be released for 24 hours after their relatives have been notified.
Operation "Epic Fury" began on February 28 at the direction of President Donald Trump and is being conducted in conjunction with the Israeli operation "Lion's Roar." The strikes targeted military facilities, command posts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the infrastructure of Iran's missile program. In particular, Tehran was affected, including the area where the presidential complex and residences of high-ranking officials are located.
Iran responded to U.S. actions with missile and drone strikes against Israel, as well as against American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, on February 28, CENTCOM reported that Iran's retaliatory actions did not result in casualties among American troops and that the damage was minimal. This statement now serves as the first official confirmation of losses among the American contingent since the operation began.
The operation is taking place against the backdrop of unsuccessful negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. On February 26, Iran rejected U.S. demands in Geneva to dismantle nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as well as to transfer enriched uranium stocks.
According to data from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 201 people were killed on the first day of hostilities, and another 747 were injured. Reports indicated that among the strikes was a girls' primary school in Minab, where, according to official data, the number of casualties exceeded 140 people.
