Premium

US death toll rises: 7th service member succumbs to injuries as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ hits grim new milestone

The command added that the death brings the number of US troops killed in the conflict to seven.

3 min readMar 9, 2026 12:15 PM IST First published on: Mar 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM IST
Trump Iran US Military Deaths Casualty ReturnDoor attendants U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christina Jiminez and Senior Airman Awng Dingrin secure the doors of the transfer vans containing the remains of US Army Reserve soldiers. (Photo: AP)

A seventh United States service member has died from injuries suffered during attacks linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran, the US military said on Sunday.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the service member died on Saturday night after being seriously wounded in an earlier attack on US troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1.

In a post on the social media platform X, United States Central Command said the soldier had been critically injured during what it described as “the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East”.

“Last night, a US service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East,” CENTCOM said. “The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.”

The command added that the death brings the number of US troops killed in the conflict to seven.

“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury,” the statement said.
Officials said the identity of the soldier has not yet been released. The military said the name would be made public only after the next of kin have been informed.

Story continues below this ad

The death comes days after six other US soldiers were killed in a drone strike on a command centre in Kuwait. The attack took place shortly after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran on 28 February.

US President Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer of the six soldiers at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday.

Trump Casualty Return
President Donald Trump salutes as an Army carry team moves a flag-draped transfer case with the remains of Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, during a casualty return Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Speaking to reporters, Trump said more casualties were possible as the conflict continues.
“I’m sure. I hate to… but it’s part of war,” he said when asked whether he expected to attend more transfers of fallen soldiers.

Fighting between Iran, Israel and US forces has led to heavy casualties across the region, with more than a thousand people reported killed in Iran and hundreds more in Lebanon since the conflict began.

The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments