Fourth US service member dies in Iran strikes

A fourth U.S. service member has been killed in the Iran operation over the weekend, the United States Central Command said.

Three service members were killed Sunday, and five others were seriously wounded by shrapnel in the operation, which U.S. officials have named Operation Epic Fury.

“The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” U.S. Central Command wrote on X.

“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.”

President Donald Trump noted the deaths in a video shared on Truth Social Sunday, saying, “Sadly, there will likely be more…before it ends, that’s the way it is. Likely be more.”

The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran over the weekend, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials, prompting a furious Iranian response that threatens a wider regional war.

Three close American allies, Britain, France and Germany, said they were ready to join forces with the U.S. to stop Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

Following Khamenei’s death, the Islamic Republic must now choose a supreme leader for the first time since 1989. Trump had urged Iranians to seize the opportunity to “take over” their government.

Khamenei had no designated successor, and as a result, Iranian officials have said a new supreme leader would be chosen within the coming days.

There have been scattered celebrations over Khamenei’s death, but Internet restrictions in the country have muffled what’s actually happening.

Trump suggested the conflict could go on for the next four weeks, after earlier saying the operations are “ahead of schedule.”

With reporting by the Associated Press.

This is a breaking news story…

Source: independent.co.uk