WASHINGTON: The United States military said on Sunday that a service member has died from injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on American troops in Saudi Arabia, bringing the number of US personnel killed since the start of the war with Iran to seven.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the service member died on Saturday night from wounds received during Iran’s initial wave of attacks across the region on March 1.
“Last night, a US service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The service member had been “seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the command added.
The military said the identity of the service member would be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin had been notified.
CENTCOM Update
TAMPA, Fla. – Last night, a U.S. service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 8, 2026
The latest casualty raises the number of US troops killed since the start of combat operations against Iran to seven.
Six of the casualties were Army reservists killed in a drone strike on a US command centre at a port facility in Kuwait on March 1.
A US official speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity confirmed the soldier was an Army service member but did not provide additional details.
Iran war enters second week
The deaths come as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran enters its second week with fighting spreading across several countries in the Middle East.
The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran.
Iran responded with waves of drone and missile attacks against Israel and countries across the region where US troops are stationed.
Iran has launched strikes against multiple locations in Saudi Arabia since the war began, including areas near the capital Riyadh and Prince Sultan Air Base.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump attended a transfer ceremony for the bodies of the six American soldiers killed earlier in the conflict.
The ceremony was held at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Trump was joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior administration officials to pay tribute to the fallen troops.
The six soldiers killed in Kuwait were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa.
Speaking at a summit in Miami on Saturday, Trump said Iran would face severe consequences from US military operations.
“We knocked out their air force, we knocked out their communications and all telecommunications is gone,” Trump said.
“It’s not working out too well and they’re bad people,” he added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded with a warning that Tehran was prepared for further escalation.
“If Mr Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our powerful armed forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get,” Araghchi said.
