ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The United States military has confirmed that three service members were killed and five others seriously wounded during ongoing operations against Iran.
In a statement on Sunday, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the casualties occurred as part of Operation Epic Fury, marking the first fatalities announced by Washington since the campaign began.
“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 returned to duty,” the statement said.
CENTCOM added that major combat operations remain ongoing and described the situation as fluid, noting that further details, including the identities of the deceased, would be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.
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The U.S., alongside Israeli forces, has launched sustained air and naval bombardments targeting Iranian military assets. President Donald Trump said the objective of the campaign is to dismantle Iran’s military capacity.
Iran has responded with missile attacks on targets in Israel and on U.S. military facilities across the region.
Earlier Sunday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf with four ballistic missiles.
However, CENTCOM denied the claim, stating that the carrier was not hit and continues to launch aircraft in support of operations.
“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 eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” the command said.