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The United States has announced its first casualties in the escalating war with Iran, which entered its second day on Sunday.

“Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury,” U.S. Central Command, the combatant command that’s responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said in a post on X.

The United States has announced its first casualties in the escalating war with Iran, which entered its second day on Sunday.

“Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury,” U.S. Central Command, the combatant command that’s responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said in a post on X.

“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,” Centcom said. “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.”

Centcom told Foreign Policy that it had no additional information to share at this time when asked for more details on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.

U.S. President Donald Trump waited hours after the Centcom announcement before commenting on the casualties, even as he posted on Truth Social about other aspects of the war.

“We expect casualties with something like this,” Trump told NBC News. “We have three, but we expect casualties, but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”

The U.S. and Israeli strikes have killed a number of Iranian leaders so far, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials in his inner circle. Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Defense Council; Mohammed Pakpour, the........

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