Bloodshed and Bluster: US Confirms Casualties as Iran and Trump Trade Threats

U.S. Central Command reported three casualties in the first 24 hours after the strike on Iran. 

Another five were seriously wounded Operations Epic Freedom. 

“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty,” U.S. Central Command said in a social media post Sunday. “Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.”

Central Command is not yet releasing the names of the casualties. 

“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” the Central Command post says. 

Iranian authorities said more than 200 people were killed by the strikes, the Associated Press reported. Israel reported eight people were killed and 28 wounded in a strike that hit a synagogue. 

The air strikes killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and targeted Iranian military sites to stop the country’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. 

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said in speech Sunday, “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” the Associated Press reported. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

President Donald Trump posted a warning to Iran on Truth Social after midnight. 

“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump posted. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!” 

Iran claimed that it struck the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, which Central Command said was not true in a post. 

Trump also told CBS News Sunday morning a diplomatic solution is “Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously.” He added, “Because they are getting beat up badly.”