Six U.S. Troops Killed In Kuwait as Iran Strikes

Darwin, 03 March:

The first fatalities in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran in the Middle East have been reported. Six American service members were killed in a direct Iranian missile strike on a temporary U.S. operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the information in a statement Monday afternoon.

Earlier Monday morning, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that a “strategic operations center” at Kuwait’s Shuaiba Port had been damaged in the attack. Although the facility was fortified, an Iranian projectile penetrated air defense systems and struck it directly.

According to CNN, the attack may have been carried out by a drone or missile.

A source who witnessed the घटना told CNN that the strike occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time on Sunday. The operations center was a triple-wide trailer converted into office space. The attack was so sudden and rapid that no warning signal or siren sounded, leaving the personnel inside with no opportunity to move to a secure location or take shelter in bunkers.

Hours after the strike, parts of the operations center were still on fire. The force of the explosion blew the building’s walls outward. The interior was blackened, and sections of the walls were separated from the structure.

Bodies of Missing Soldiers Recovered

Initially, CENTCOM reported that three service members had been killed. However, due to ongoing fires in parts of the building following the explosion, it took time to recover the remaining personnel. By Monday afternoon, two more bodies had been recovered, bringing the death toll to six. CENTCOM said that more than a dozen people were present at the time of the attack.

The identities of the soldiers killed in Sunday’s incident have not yet been released. The process of formally notifying their families is underway.

Operation Epic Fury

The six service members are the first fatalities of the military campaign named “Operation Epic Fury,” which began early Saturday morning against Iran. Defense Secretary Hegseth and President Donald Trump have both warned that the death toll could rise further. A CENTCOM spokesperson said Monday that 18 service members have been seriously injured so far during the U.S. military operation.

Speaking to reporters Monday, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane, described the fallen troops as “the nation’s finest assets” and “true examples of selfless service.” He said, “Our deepest and most sincere condolences are with their families, friends, and unit members. We grieve with you, and we will never forget you.”