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Another U.S. service member has died from wounds sustained during Iran’s initial counterattacks last week, bringing the total number of American troops killed in the conflict to seven, according to the United States Central Command.
CENTCOM said in a statement Sunday that the service member had been critically injured during an attack on U.S. forces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.
“Last night, a U.S. service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1,” U.S. Central Command wrote in a statement.
“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.Officials said the service member’s identity will not be released until at least 24 hours after notification of next of kin,” the statement added.
The death marks the latest casualty linked to the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a U.S.-led military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure and leadership.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the region have included drone and missile attacks on U.S. forces and allied facilities across several Middle Eastern countries, according to military officials.
The Pentagon has said American forces remain on heightened alert as operations and defensive measures continue across the region.
RSBN previously reported on the six previous military service members killed in Kuwait. The United States Army on Wednesday identified the fifth American service member killed in a drone attack tied to the Iran conflict as Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien of Waukee, Iowa.
Officials said O’Brien, 45, was among six U.S. troops killed in an unmanned aircraft system attack on March 1 at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait while supporting regional operations. The soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa.
The sixth casualty is Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California.
The four previously identified soldiers were Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. Two additional soldiers killed in the attack have not yet been named.
