Six American service members have died since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran over the weekend, U.S. Central Command confirmed Monday.
CENTCOM Update
TAMPA, Fla. – As of 4 pm ET, March 2, six U.S. service members have been killed in action. U.S. forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region.…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026
The revised toll accounts for two personnel whose bodies were located at a site hit during Iran’s opening wave of counterstrikes, according to CENTCOM. The command offered no further detail on how they were killed.
“Major combat operations continue,” CENTCOM stated on X. “The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.”
A fourth fatality was announced earlier Monday after that service member died from wounds sustained in the fighting. Five others remain in serious condition, CENTCOM reported Sunday.
The deaths follow a joint U.S.-Israeli striking campaign that began Saturday, targeting Iranian military and government installations. Tehran struck back with missiles and drones aimed at Israel, American positions in the region, and Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iranian state television reported Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the Tehran strikes, according to ABC News.
President Trump acknowledged the mounting losses in a video posted to Truth Social.
“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” Trump said. “And sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends.”
The State Department urged Americans in the Middle East to exercise increased caution and monitor embassy security alerts following the start of combat operations.
