Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Defense has released updated casualty figures showing that 365 American service members have been wounded in action since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026, in coordination with Israel. The death toll stands at 13 service members killed. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The figures, posted on the Pentagon’s Defense Casualty Analysis System and reported across major outlets including the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and international wires, reflect casualties accumulated over nearly five weeks of sustained operations involving airstrikes, naval actions, and defensive responses to Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Breakdown of Wounded Personnel
According to the Pentagon data:
- U.S. Army: 247 wounded
- U.S. Navy: 63 wounded
- U.S. Marine Corps: 19 wounded
- U.S. Air Force: 36 wounded
Among the wounded:
- Approximately 200 were mid-to-senior enlisted personnel (E5–E9).
- 85 were officers.
- 80 were junior enlisted (E1–E4).
The majority of injuries are described as minor, with many service members having already returned to duty. A significant portion involves traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) caused by blasts from Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Fatalities and Key Incidents
The 13 deaths include both hostile actions and a non-combat incident:
- Seven hostile deaths: Six service members were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. command center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1, 2026. One additional service member died from wounds sustained in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
- Six deaths resulted from the crash of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft in western Iraq on March 12, which was not attributed to enemy fire.
Some earlier reports and Wikipedia entries citing U.S. and Israeli data mention up to 15 killed and over 520 wounded, possibly incorporating additional incidents or revised counts as of early April. However, the official Pentagon update as of Friday lists 13 killed and 365 wounded specifically tied to Operation Epic Fury.
Context of Operation Epic Fury
Operation Epic Fury was initiated under President Donald Trump’s direction to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, destroy its navy, disrupt support for terrorist proxies, and prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted thousands of strikes on Iranian targets, while Iranian forces have launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks on U.S. bases in the region, including in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
Casualty numbers have risen steadily:
- Mid-March: ~140 wounded and 7–8 killed.
- Later March: ~200 wounded.
- Early April: 365 wounded.
Critics, including outlets like The Intercept, have questioned whether official tallies fully capture all casualties across the broader Middle East theater since late 2023, suggesting possible undercounting in public statements. The Pentagon maintains that the figures are accurate and transparent via its casualty database.
Human Cost and Military Impact
The wounded include personnel from active duty (201), National Guard (54), and Reserve (110) components. Many injuries stem from Iranian drone swarms and missile barrages targeting U.S. facilities supporting the operation.
U.S. officials, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Keene, have emphasized that most injuries were non-life-threatening and that the operation continues to achieve its objectives with “wartime speed.” However, the rising toll underscores the risks faced by American forces deployed in the region.
The conflict remains active, with ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes and Iranian responses. Casualty figures may be updated as new incidents occur or medical statuses change.
This report is based on official Pentagon data released as of April 3–4, 2026, and cross-verified across multiple news sources. Families of the fallen have been notified, and the Department of Defense continues to provide support to the wounded and bereaved.
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