Three American troops have been killed and five seriously injured during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, the US military's Central Command said on Sunday.
All of the soldiers were based in Kuwait, NBC News reported.
"Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions, and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing," Centcom said in a statement on X.
Just moments after the announcement of the casualties, former US admiral James Stavridis spoke of the developments on CNN.
"Sadly I think there will be more to come," he said. "Please take a moment and hold those servicemen and women in your thoughts, your prayers, and raise a glass to them if that is your tradition," he added.
Mr Stavridis said that about 50,000 US "sailors, airmen, Marines and Army solders" are in harm's way near Iran.
In a post on X that reshared Centcom's initial announcement of the fatalities, Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN also weighed in.
"Freedom is never free," he wrote.
The National pushed Centcom for more details about how and where the US soldiers were killed.
"We have nothing further for you at this time," an official said. "Please monitor our digital channels for statements and operational updates."
US President Donald Trump said later on Sunday that the war against Iran would last four weeks or less.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, he paid homage to the three American troops who died and said 48 members of the Iranian leadership had been killed.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process. As strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks – or less," Mr Trump told the Mail.
He added that the service members who had been killed were "great people".
"You know, we expect that to happen, unfortunately … it could happen again."
