Operation Epic Fury has claimed the lives of three U.S. service members, with five others seriously wounded, marking the first American fatalities since joint U.S.-Israeli strikes began targeting Iran. President Donald Trump, addressing the nation Sunday, confirmed the deaths and pledged the military campaign would press forward until all objectives are met.
Trump acknowledged that additional U.S. casualties are likely before the conflict concludes. He called on Americans to pray for the wounded and vowed to avenge the fallen service members. In a separate interview, Trump estimated the operation could wrap up in “four weeks or less,” describing progress as ahead of schedule.
The Pentagon withheld identities and operational details pending next-of-kin notification, citing a fluid situation on the ground.
Key developments as of Sunday:
- Joint strikes on Saturday killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Iran announced a three-member interim leadership council to fill the power vacuum
- Iranian forces struck U.S. bases in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and the Persian Gulf in retaliation
- An Iranian missile hit Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, killing at least six civilians
- Israel struck targets inside Tehran for the first time since the campaign began
- Violent protests near the U.S. consulate in Karachi left at least nine people dead
- Russia condemned Khamenei’s payoff as a violation of transnational law
Trump also indicated willingness to engage with Iran’s new leadership, saying he had agreed to speak with them, even as Iranian officials denied reports of renewed nuclear negotiations.
