U.S. Central Command announced Monday that six service members have been killed in the ongoing conflict with Iran, marking the first confirmed American deaths in Operation Epic Fury.

The deaths occurred during an Iranian strike on a makeshift tactical operations center at the Shuaiba port in Kuwait. A source familiar with the incident described a direct hit by a projectile that penetrated air defenses around 9 a.m. local time Sunday, with no prior warning or sirens. The targeted facility was a fortified triple-wide trailer used as an office space.

Initially, three service members were reported killed in the attack, with five others seriously wounded. The toll rose throughout Monday as one wounded service member succumbed to injuries and the remains of two previously unaccounted-for troops were recovered from the site. In total, 18 U.S. troops have sustained serious wounds across the operation.

Operation Epic Fury began early Saturday with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on over 1,250 Iranian targets, including missile sites, naval assets, and regime infrastructure. The campaign followed months of escalating tensions sparked by Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted in late December 2025 over economic woes and demands for regime change. U.S. officials reported killing 49 senior Iranian leaders in the initial strikes, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. positions, Israel, and Gulf allies, including strikes on bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and vessels in the region. Iranian state media and the Red Crescent reported 555 deaths from the U.S.-Israeli strikes, accusing the attacks of targeting civilian sites like hospitals and schools.

President Donald Trump described the operation as ahead of schedule and a critical opportunity to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxies. He indicated the campaign could last four to five weeks and did not rule out ground troops. "We are substantially ahead," Trump said, noting the rapid elimination of key regime figures.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the casualties during briefings, with Hegseth noting a projectile breached defenses at a fortified position. The Pentagon has deployed additional assets, including B-2 bombers and F-35 fighters, while allies like the UK provided base access.

The conflict has disrupted regional airspace and oil markets, with U.S. crude prices rising over 8% to $72.64 per barrel. Evacuation warnings were issued for Americans in the Middle East, and friendly fire incidents, such as Kuwait downing three U.S. F-15s, added to operational challenges, though pilots survived unharmed.