The US has so far confirmed that three of its service members have been killed as part of the operation against Iran. Five others sustained shrapnel injuries and concussions; they are being treated and are expected to return to duty.
This is not news the US would have wanted. Officials had emphasised that there were no reported casualties on the first day of operations. That has now changed the picture significantly. President Donald Trump campaigned on being a “no-war president.” Vice President JD Vance has expressed similar views, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had previously voiced opposition to war with Iran before later shifting her stance.
No further details have been released about where the three service members were killed. There is a reason for that: Providing specific locations could give Iran intelligence it might use against US personnel at those sites.
For about an hour, rumours circulated on social media claiming that the USS Abraham Lincoln – one of the US aircraft carriers in the Gulf – had been struck. The US Central Command moved quickly to deny those reports. It said missiles were fired but fell well short of the carrier, which continues to launch aircraft towards targets in Iran. Al Jazeera
