What we know about the U.S. service members killed in the Iran war
What we Know About U.S. Service Members Killed in the Iran War
Casualties in the Iran Conflict
Four of the six U.S. service members killed in the Iran conflict perished when a drone struck a port in Kuwait on Sunday, according to the U.S. Army Reserve Command. The command reported on Tuesday that the attack occurred during a military operation initiated by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones into neighboring nations, escalating tensions in the region.
Among the casualties, four Army reservists were identified as victims of the drone strike at Port Shuabia, Kuwait. These individuals were affiliated with the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines. The remaining two service members who lost their lives have not yet had their identities disclosed. A U.S. official shared with NBC News that 18 others were severely injured during the operation.
“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” stated Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command.
Attack Details and Retaliation
The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran around 1:15 a.m. ET on Saturday, utilizing precision munitions from multiple platforms. Central Command confirmed the use of one-way drones in the operation. Iran’s Red Crescent reported nearly 800 fatalities resulting from the attacks, though the exact toll remains under review.
Iran retaliated by deploying 230 attack drones against U.S. military installations, including the Ali Al Salem and Arifjan bases in Kuwait, as reported by Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also claimed responsibility for targeting a U.S. base in Erbil, Iraq. Casualties were confirmed in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with eleven deaths reported in Israel alone.
Political Context and Duration
President Donald Trump outlined the potential timeline of the operation, stating that the military action could extend for weeks. “We projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that,” he noted. The administration justified the strikes as a response to an imminent threat and the collapse of ongoing nuclear negotiations.
Some congressional members have raised questions about the justification for the attack and Trump’s authority to act without prior approval. Democrats and certain Republicans aim to secure a war powers vote to limit further military engagement. Meanwhile, Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes.
Contributors
Gordon Lubold is a national security reporter for NBC News. Courtney Kube covers military and national security issues for the NBC News Investigative Unit. Phil Helsel contributes as a reporter for NBC News. I am NBC News’ producer and off-air reporter focusing on Defense Department stories globally.
