At least three U.S. service members are among the hundreds confirmed dead in a conflict across the Middle East. This violence began with a series of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
President Trump pledged to continue the combat operations with full force on Sunday. He warned that more American troops might die as the conflict escalates. “Sadly there will likely be more before it ends,” Trump said about 36 hours after the initial attacks.
Pentagon Details and Rising U.S. Deaths in Iran Conflict
He offered condolences to the families of the three “true American patriots” who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation and noted, “But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
Pentagon officials did not provide details about how the service members died or where the incident happened. This news came as Iran increased its counterattacks throughout the region, including against American military bases.
Regional Fallout and Iran’s Warning to Neighbors
U.S. military officials reported that at least five other service members were seriously injured. Several others suffered minor shrapnel injuries and concussions.
Iran officials continued to vow revenge for the attacks within their country and particularly for Khamenei’s death on Saturday. “To the countries of the region: We are not seeking to attack you,” Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official, said on X. “But when the bases located in your country are used against us, and when the United States carries out operations in the region relying on these forces, then we will target those bases.”
Casualties across the region rose on Sunday as the war’s second day brought more violence. Dozens of civilian deaths confirmed in Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and the UAE.