The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that approximately 140 U.S. service members have sustained wounds during the initial ten days of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing American military campaign against Iran. Launched on February 28, the operation has seen both human and financial costs as the United States engages in the Middle Eastern conflict.
"We want a system that can lead to many years of peace, and if we can’t have that, we might as well get it over with right now." — President Donald Trump
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell issued an official statement indicating that "the vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty." However, eight service members remain listed as severely injured, receiving the highest level of medical care. U.S. Central Command defines "seriously wounded" as troops facing imminent death or who may die from their injuries, a classification that currently applies to these eight individuals recovering from the conflict.
The campaign has also claimed the lives of seven American service members since President Donald Trump ordered strikes against Iran. Six of these soldiers died when a drone struck a command center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, just one day after the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign. NBC News reported the names of those killed as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39; Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45; and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan. All six were identified as Army reservists. The seventh American fatality, Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, died after sustaining wounds during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Beyond the human toll, the conflict has incurred a substantial financial cost. A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that the cost of munitions used during the first two days of the war alone reached $5.6 billion. The economic ripple effects have also been felt by American consumers, particularly at the gas pump. Average gas prices have surged from $2.90 per gallon before the war began to $3.50 per gallon. Oil markets have reacted with significant volatility, reminiscent of disruptions observed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Oil prices reportedly rocketed 30% on Monday before retreating following President Trump’s prediction of a swift end to the conflict.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Monday, President Trump expressed optimism regarding the campaign's progress and duration. "We’re way ahead of schedule," President Trump stated, adding that he believed the war would end "very soon." President Trump also commented on Iran’s future leadership, indicating his displeasure with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s new supreme leader. Addressing his broader goals for the conflict's outcome, President Trump articulated, "We want a system that can lead to many years of peace, and if we can’t have that, we might as well get it over with right now."
Earlier in the day, an episode of miscommunication rattled financial markets. Energy Secretary Chris Wright falsely posted on social media that the U.S. Navy had escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. This erroneous report led to an immediate drop of more than 17 percent in oil prices. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly corrected the record, telling reporters, "The US Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time." Following Leavitt’s correction, Wright's social media post was deleted. The brief surge in oil prices, which briefly surpassed $100 a barrel, prompted anxious Republican lawmakers to flood the White House with calls on Monday. Economic adviser Stephen Moore issued a stark warning about the broader financial implications, stating, "When the price of gas and oil rise, so does everything else. Given affordability was already an issue, this leads to real challenges." Leavitt, when asked about Reuters reporting as many as 150 U.S. troops wounded, stated, "I can't confirm the exact number. I know it's within that ballpark."
The ongoing military action in Iran continues to draw attention to its human toll, economic ramifications, and the administration's stated objectives for regional stability.
