The US-Iran war has entered a deadly new phase, with President Donald Trump explicitly refusing to rule out American ground forces as the conflict — now in its fourth day — claims its first US military deaths and threatens to spiral across the region.
In a joint US-Israeli campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury, precision strikes launched on February 28 eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with top military commanders. Iran’s Red Crescent reports more than 550 civilians killed in the barrage, which targeted thousands of missile sites, air defenses, IRGC facilities and naval assets.
Iran hit back hard. Missiles slammed into Israel (killing at least 11), the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. Hezbollah joined the fray from Lebanon, firing rockets that prompted Israeli counterstrikes and dozens more deaths. In the deadliest blow to US forces so far, Iranian missiles struck a makeshift operations center at Kuwait’s Shuaiba port, killing six American service members — the first combat deaths of the war. Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly downed three US fighter jets in the chaos (crews safe).
Trump, speaking Monday, said the operation is “substantially ahead of schedule” but warned it could last “four to five weeks” — or “far longer.” “Whatever it takes,” he told reporters, listing four clear goals: destroy Iran’s missile and navy capabilities, block any nuclear weapon, and cut off funding to terrorist proxies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio went further, telling the New York Post Trump “won’t rule out anything” — including boots on the ground. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the war “will not be endless” and regime change is not the goal, but added the US “will go as far as we need to go.”
Iran’s top national security official Ali Larijani delivered a defiant response: “We will not negotiate with the United States.”
The fighting has already triggered widespread evacuations from Gulf states, flight cancellations and airport closures. Oil prices have surged sharply amid fears Iran could disrupt Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
US Central Command confirmed 18 additional troops wounded. Israeli strikes continue in Tehran — where the IDF now claims air superiority — and across Lebanon after Hezbollah’s intervention.
Trump has signaled the “big wave” of strikes is still coming and called on the Iranian people to “take over” their government. Analysts warn the conflict — born from failed nuclear talks and years of proxy attacks — could reshape the Middle East for decades.
This is no longer a shadow war. With six Americans already lost and Khamenei gone, the US-Iran conflict of 2026 has become the defining crisis of Trump’s second term — and the world is watching every missile.
