CENTCOM: Six US troops killed in Iran conflict
Washington: US Central Command said six US soldiers have been killed in a major US military combat operation against Iran.
CENTCOM stated, “As of 4 p.m. ET on March 2, six US soldiers have been killed in action,” and added that the US military “recently recovered the remains of two previously unknown soldiers from a location that was hit during Iran’s initial attacks in the area.”
The command stated, “Major combat operations are ongoing.” “The identities of the deceased are being withheld until 24 hours after they are notified to their families.”
CENTCOM stated that Operation Epic Fury “involves the largest regional concentration of US military firepower in a generation.”
A fact sheet released by the command stated that the operation began at 1:15 a.m. on February 28, 2026, “at the direction of the President of the United States.” It is being conducted in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. The targets are in Iran.
The document states that US forces are “attacking targets to eliminate Iranian government security systems, prioritizing locations that pose an immediate threat.” It also states that “more than 1,250” targets have been attacked in the first 48 hours.
Assets deployed include B-1 and B-2 bombers, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35 fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, Patriot and THAAD missile systems, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, and MQ-9 Reapers.
Targets include “Command and Control Centers,” “IRGC Joint Headquarters,” “IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters,” “Integrated Air Defense Systems,” “Ballistic Missile Sites,” “Iranian Navy Ships,” and “Iranian Navy Submarines.”
CENTCOM also said: “Multiple F/A-18 squadrons are supporting ongoing operations against Iran. US forces are flying day and night to provide overwhelming firepower.”
In a separate post, it said Iran no longer has a naval presence in the Gulf of Oman.
“Two days ago, the Iranian government had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman; today, they have zero,” it said.
“The Iranian government has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over. Freedom of maritime navigation has supported American and global economic progress for more than 80 years. The US military will continue to defend it.”
The Gulf of Oman connects the Arabian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz. A significant portion of global oil shipments pass through this area. Any disruption impacts the global energy market, including major importers like India.
