The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that three American soldiers were killed in action, while five others sustained serious injuries during the ongoing joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran.

According to the command, several additional service members suffered minor shrapnel wounds and concussions and are expected to resume duty after medical care.

The fatalities represent the first confirmed American casualties since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the coordinated US-Israeli campaign targeting Iranian military assets. The large-scale strikes across Iran have reportedly resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials.

The announcement came amid intensified retaliation by Iran, which has launched ballistic missiles and drones at US military facilities and allied locations across the Middle East. Targets reportedly included installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq, as well as other areas hosting American forces. Iranian strikes also hit civilian locations in Israel, with reports indicating at least eight deaths near Jerusalem.

CENTCOM stated that the identities of the fallen US troops would remain confidential until 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed.

Prior to the operation, US President Donald Trump acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, noting that such losses are often a reality in warfare.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it fired four ballistic missiles at the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, describing it as a direct strike. However, the US Central Command refuted the claim, stating that the missiles did not come close to the vessel.

The command added that the USS Abraham Lincoln remains fully operational and continues to launch aircraft in support of what it described as a sustained campaign to counter threats from the Iranian government.