CENTCOM says no US casualties in joint strikes on Iran

WASHINGTON

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday said there were no reports of US casualties or combat-related injuries as its forces, along with Israel, continue to conduct attacks on Iran.

“Following the initial wave of U.S. and partner strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,” CENTCOM said in a statement on US social media company X.

US installations have suffered minimal damage, it said, adding that this “has not impacted operations.”

The statement said the attacks, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” began Saturday upon the orders of President Donald Trump.

US and partner forces began striking targets at 1:15 am Eastern Time (0615GMT), aiming to dismantle what it described as the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed what it said was an imminent threat.

According to CENTCOM, the targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.

“The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in the statement.

The first hours of the operation involved precision munitions launched from air, land and sea, the command said. It added that CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat.

Israel and the US launched a joint military operation against Iran early Saturday, citing alleged threats posed by the "Iranian regime."

The strikes came after the latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva on Thursday, where both sides had described the atmosphere as serious and constructive under Omani mediation.

Last June, the US had struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict.