WASHINGTON: Three United States service members have been killed and five seriously wounded during military operations against Iran, the US military said on Sunday, marking the first American casualties announced since the start of the conflict.
“Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury,” United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
It added that several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and were in the process of returning to duty.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. 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 said.
CENTCOM Update
TAMPA, Fla. – As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
The United States launched large-scale bombardments against Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state media. Attacks were continuing on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump has said the objective is to destroy Iran’s military capacity.
Iran claims attack on US aircraft carrier
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said earlier on Sunday that they had successfully hit the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf with four ballistic missiles.
CENTCOM rejected the claim. “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close,” it said in a statement on X.
“The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
🚫Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE.
✅The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by… pic.twitter.com/AjaeHMemtA— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
The Lincoln is one of two US aircraft carriers deployed to the region in recent weeks.
Naval clash and call to surrender
CENTCOM also said US forces had sunk an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette at a pier in Chah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman.
“As the president said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police ‘must lay down your weapons’. Abandon ship,” the command said, referring to remarks by Trump.
An Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was struck by U.S. forces during the start of Operation Epic Fury. The ship is currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman at a Chah Bahar pier. As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police “must lay down your… pic.twitter.com/NzsR3dI2Hs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
There was no immediate confirmation from Tehran on the reported sinking.
Strait of Hormuz
Maritime security agencies reported attacks on two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said one ship was struck off the coast of Oman.
Another vessel was hit off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to UKMTO and private maritime security firm Vanguard Tech.
Iranian state television reported that an oil tanker was sinking after being struck while attempting to pass through the strategic waterway.
It aired footage showing heavy black smoke rising from a burning vessel at sea.
Iran attacked an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was intended to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite warnings. All 20 crew members were evacuated.
Follow: https://t.co/mLGcUTS2ei pic.twitter.com/FDqGMRNsB7
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 1, 2026
The strait carries roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil and about a fifth of global liquefied natural gas supplies.
Danish shipping giant Maersk said it was suspending all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
“The safety of our crews, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our key priority,” the company said in an advisory.
Strikes in Iran and Israel
Iranian media reported that 43 members of the security forces were killed in an attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran near Iraq.
“This attack, which was accompanied by bombing, unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of 43 security personnel, most of them border guards,” the Mehr news agency said.
In Israel, a barrage of missiles launched from Iran killed at least six people in the central city of Beit Shemesh, according to the Magen David Adom emergency service.
“In the Beit Shemesh area, MDA EMTs and paramedics have pronounced the deaths of six casualties,” it said, adding that 23 others were injured.
Police said the strike was a direct hit on a building. The fatalities brought the total Israeli death toll from the latest confrontation to seven, according to first responders.
Explosions were also reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while air defence systems were activated in several Gulf states.
