Six U.S. Service Members Confirmed Killed in Iran War; Three Fighter Jets Downed Over Kuwait

WASHINGTON / KUWAIT — March 3, 2026
The U.S. military has confirmed the deaths of six American service members — the first killed in action in the military operation against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which began in the early hours of Saturday.  (AL-Monitor)
The first casualties occurred when a direct Iranian strike hit a makeshift operations center at a civilian port in Shuaiba, Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strike hit a “tactical operations center that was fortified,” but one projectile managed to penetrate air defenses.  (AL-Monitor)
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted-for service members from the facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks. “Major combat operations continue. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification,” CENTCOM stated.  (The Kathmandu Post)
Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that a fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries. Meanwhile, 18 U.S. service members have been seriously wounded in Operation Epic Fury.  (The Business Standard)