The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that approximately 140 American service members have been wounded since the commencement of Operation Epic Freedom on February 28.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the majority of these injuries have been minor, with 108 service members having already returned to duty. Eight service members are categorized as severely injured and are currently receiving the highest level of medical care.
The statement did not provide specific details regarding the time or location of the injuries.
Seven service members have lost their lives in Iranian strikes, with six fatalities occurring after an Iranian strike on a US base in Kuwait on March 1 and one following a strike on a base in Saudi Arabia on the same day.
Another American military member passed away on March 6 due to an unspecified medical emergency in Kuwait.
Earlier on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that approximately 150 US military members had sustained combat injuries, in response to a report by Reuters.
President Trump expressed confidence on Monday that the risk to US troops had significantly decreased following the initial US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28.
Trump stated, “We’re going to go further. But the big risk on that war has been over for three days. We wiped them out in the first two days,” indicating progress towards achieving military objectives.
The president suggested the possibility of an earlier conclusion to the mission than the initially projected four-week timeframe, citing disruptions in oil markets due to limited tanker departures from the Strait of Hormuz.
He emphasized that the war will conclude when Iran no longer possesses the capability to develop weaponry that could threaten the United States, Israel, or allies. Trump outlined four primary objectives, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, terminating support for proxies like Hezbollah, and neutralizing its navy.
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