WASHINGTON — The Pentagon confirmed Sunday that three U.S. service members have been killed in the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, marking the first American casualties just 24 hours into the high-stakes conflict now dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
The deaths, along with five others seriously wounded, come as Iran’s furious retaliation rains missiles and drones across the region — striking ships, U.S. bases, and civilian areas from Israel to the Persian Gulf.
Israeli medics reported at least eight killed in a deadly blast near Jerusalem, with additional strikes hitting Beit Shemesh west of the city and reports of impacts in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and beyond.
In Tehran, mourners gathered for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assassinated alongside roughly 40 top regime officials in the opening barrage Saturday. CIA intelligence, painstakingly gathered over months and shared with Israeli allies, pinpointed the strike that eliminated the 86-year-old hardliner and his inner circle, sources confirmed to CBS News.
The lightning operation has already reshaped the Middle East power balance. President Donald Trump, who greenlit the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign, told reporters the mission is “moving along very well — ahead of schedule.” He added that Iran’s interim leadership has signaled openness to talks, and he has agreed to engage.
“We eliminated the dictator Khamenei and dozens of senior officials,” Trump stated, while revealing the U.S. sank nine Iranian Navy ships and destroyed their naval headquarters. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed no let-up. “Our strikes on Iran will increase even more in the coming days,” he declared in a video message, as fresh Israeli jets pounded Tehran targets.
Iran’s counteroffensive has targeted U.S. assets in Bahrain and the UAE, with missiles also slamming Israeli territory. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of key commanders, including senior IRGC figures, while declaring 40 days of national mourning for Khamenei.
The swift decapitation strike — triggered by long-simmering tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional proxies — has stunned the world. Trump hailed it as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country,” even as critics warn of a wider war.
U.S. Central Command described the battlefield as “fluid,” withholding the fallen troops’ names pending family notifications. “Major combat operations continue,” CENTCOM stated. “Our response effort is ongoing.”
As funerals begin in Iran and casualty counts climb, the U.S.-Israel alliance is betting its precision campaign will shatter the Islamic Republic’s grip without dragging America into a prolonged ground war. But with American blood now spilled and missiles flying, the second day of conflict signals this fight is far from over — and the stakes have never been higher.
