The U.S. says three service members have been killed as its military and Israel continue their bombardment of Iran, which led to the death Saturday of the country’s supreme leader.
In a post to X on Sunday, U.S. Central Command said three service members had been “killed in action,” with five others seriously injured.
“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty,” U.S. Central Command wrote. “Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.”
The U.S. casualties are the first in what’s been called Operation Epic Fury, which saw the death of Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and later confirmed by state media.
In a video posted to Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the country grieves for the “American Patriots.”
“We grieve for the true American Patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives,” he said.
“Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
Iran targets various Middle East countries
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Carney says Canada supports US, Israel strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons -
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What’s next: Iran’s uncertain future after Ayatollah’s death -
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U.S., Israel attack Iran as Trump urges Iranians to ‘take over your government’ -
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U.S. confirms first American deaths in Iran strikes as retaliation spreads
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkin, said in a prerecorded message that a leadership council “has begun its work” of finding a new leader.
The choosing of a new supreme leader comes barely 24 hours after Trump said on Truth Social the intent of the “massive” operation was to ensure Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
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Trump also called on Iranians to “take over your government,” adding it would “be probably your only chance for generations.”
The U.S. and Israel’s first strikes began Saturday morning and appeared to target areas in downtown Tehran, which included locations linked to Iran’s leadership.
In response, Tehran launched missiles at Israel as well as several countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
State media in the UAE reported shrapnel from Iranian attacks on Abu Dhabi killed two people, with debris from aerial interceptions causing fires at the city’s main port and on the facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed attacks on its capital of Riyadh and its eastern region, but said it had successfully intercepted them.
World leaders respond to strikes
Several world leaders and ministers have spoken out in response to Iran’s attacks on the various countries in the Middle East, stressing solidarity amid the strikes.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan following yesterday’s Iranian strikes,” said European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen in a post on X. “With Khamenei gone, there is renewed hope for the people of Iran.
“At the same time, this moment carries a real risk of instability that could push the region into a spiral of violence.”
Von Der Leyen went on to say the European Union is working with “key actors” and regional partners to ensure stability and security, and to protect civilian lives.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed Von Der Leyen’s statements, issuing posts on X condemning the strikes that fell on countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“Canada will continue working with allies and partners to support stability and reinforce collective security,” Anand wrote.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday called for the protection of civilians as hostilities escalate.
Strikes on Iran to continue: Israel
Tehran vowed revenge on Sunday.
“You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a televised address Sunday. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”
The U.S. president said in a post on Truth Social that any retaliation would be met with further escalation.
“THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT,” Trump fired back in a social media post. “IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
Later on Sunday, Trump claimed on Truth Social he had been informed Iran’s naval headquarters was “destroyed”, and nine Iranian naval ships had been “destroyed and sunk.”
“We are going after the rest — They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also!,” Trump wrote.
Global News has not independently confirmed the status of Iran’s ships or naval headquarters.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Sunday his country would have a “non-stop air train” of strikes against military and leadership targets in Iran.
Trump also said that heavy bombing will continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary.”
—with files from Global News’ Prisha Dev, Uday Rana, Aaron D’Andrea, Rachel Goodman, and The Associated Press
Of course, all of them will get hung like Mussolini. The CIA and Mossad will be sure of that.
Shouldn’t be a problem since 4-5 alternates were named months ago
The Houthi’s, Hezbollah and Hamas are permanently screwed now. Nice!
Agreed, it’s important the U.S. and Israel keep up the military attacks, take out any further theocratic leadership, and support the inevitable rise-up of the Iranian people to replace their regime. Iran could become a democracy within a year, resulting in major peace in the Middle East.
Of course, I’m a total f *ucking idiot as you’re all aware. I get caught up in my multiple perosnality, and that one is a mo ron. This attack was genius and couldn’t have been timed better, when the Iranian pigs were most vulnerable. Keep flattening those terrorists, Trump!
Iran is looking for a new Supreme leader. I nominate myself. I have always aspired to become a powerful, repressive dictator, and I have never objected to being referred to as ‘supreme’. I think I will be an excellent fit with the regime’s mission and values. Also, as a little known former mayoral candidate to Hamilton once said; I have leadership qualities.
So the head of the snake regrows. Yay
So, after all this, still the same ol regime in Iran, just a new Ayatollah or whatever they call him? Trumps actions have done zero to change the things. In fact, they may have made things way worse.
This should have been a global effort. Not just an effort between two genocidal, warped leaders, trying hard to cover crimes.