Six U.S. Service members have been killed since the start of a widening conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, officials confirmed Monday. The deaths occurred as Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following a joint U.S.-Israeli operation that resulted in the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.
The escalation began with the U.S. And Israel conducting strikes against thousands of targets inside Iran, according to NBC News. Iran’s Red Crescent reported more than 550 people have been killed in those strikes. In response, Iran attacked Israel and targets in several Arab states, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Three U.S. Fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces during combat operations, though all six pilots ejected safely and are reported to be in stable condition.
Eleven people were killed in Israel, and deaths have similarly been reported in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon fired missiles into Israel, prompting Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, resulting in dozens of fatalities according to Lebanese authorities.
President Donald Trump, in a series of media interviews Monday, stated the conflict with Iran is expected to last “four to five weeks” but acknowledged it could “go far longer.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the war would not be “endless,” and the U.S. Goal is not regime change. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Trump “won’t rule out anything,” including the possibility of deploying ground forces.
Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, vowed “we will not negotiate with the United States,” despite President Trump’s assertion that Iranian officials are seeking talks. The conflict has caused significant global disruption, with oil prices rising sharply due to concerns over supply interruptions.
The initial U.S.-Israeli strike targeting Ayatollah Khamenei has been met with both jubilation and condemnation internationally. The strikes also disrupted Iranian state television broadcasts and led to the cancellation of flights and the suspension of shipping in the region. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, attacks have impacted 131 cities within Iran.
At the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine emphasized that the operation is “not a single, overnight operation” and warned that further U.S. Casualties are anticipated. President Trump added that “the huge wave hasn’t even happened, the big one is coming soon,” without providing further details.
