The U.S. military confirmed Sunday that a service member died from injuries sustained during an Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia against U.S. troops, bringing the total American combat deaths to seven since military operations against Iran began.
“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification,” U.S. Central Command wrote in a post on X. CENTCOM added that the unidentified soldier was “seriously wounded” in an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.
Six Army Reserve soldiers killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait, the day after the U.S. and Israel started their military campaign against Iran, returned home on Saturday. President Donald Trump joined the grieving families at Dover Air Force Base to honor the soldiers during a dignified transfer.
Trump, who described the soldiers as heroes during the event, vowed to keep U.S. war deaths “to a minimum.” He also warned that he plans to ramp up the war in Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” for the next phase of the ongoing conflict.
The death marks the seventh American fatality since the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran following escalating tensions in the region. The conflict has expanded beyond Iran’s borders, with attacks now targeting U.S. forces stationed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait who are supporting regional operations.
The service member’s death from injuries sustained days earlier highlights the ongoing danger facing American troops deployed across the Middle East as the conflict continues. CENTCOM has not disclosed details about the nature of the March 1 attack or whether additional troops were wounded during the same incident.
