The United States military has confirmed that three American service members were killed and five others seriously injured in Iranian missile attacks, while Israeli authorities reported that nine people died in a separate strike on Sunday.
In a statement, the United States Central Command confirmed the American casualties and said operations were ongoing.
“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions, and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” the US Central Command said in the statement.
“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” it added.
The US did not specify which particular Iranian missile attack resulted in the fatalities.
Since Saturday, Iran has launched multiple strikes against US bases and interests across the Middle East, following coordinated attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran lacks the capacity to strike the US mainland and is therefore targeting American “bases in the region and the facilities or installations they use in countries in the region.”
Rising regional impact
Iran’s missile campaign has heightened tensions across the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Countries hosting US military installations — including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain — have reportedly been affected by Iranian missile activity.
Several of these nations have temporarily closed their airspace and imposed restrictions on public gatherings.
While condemning Iran’s actions, the Gulf states have also urged restraint, cautioning the United States against retaliatory strikes that could further destabilise the region.
In Israel, officials confirmed that nine people were killed after an Iranian missile hit the town of Beit Shemesh.
Rescue operations were ongoing as emergency workers searched through rubble for survivors.
Air raid sirens continued to sound in various parts of the country, warning residents of additional incoming missiles.
As Iran continues its retaliatory attacks, the death toll within the country has climbed to over 200.
Among the victims were about 185 schoolgirls killed when US and Israeli missiles struck an elementary school.
The casualties also include Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and several senior military commanders, according to Iranian reports.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it struck the US aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, in the Gulf with four ballistic missiles.
The US military denied the claim, stating that all incoming missiles were intercepted and that the carrier sustained no damage.
The United States has also announced that it sank an Iranian naval ship in the Gulf of Oman, further intensifying the maritime dimension of the conflict.
