WASHINGTON

Approximately 290 US service members have been wounded since the start of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, a US Central Command spokesman said Tuesday.

"The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and more than 255 troops have already returned to duty," Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told Anadolu in a statement.

Regional tensions have escalated since Feb. 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

A total of 13 US service members have been killed.