Six US Soldiers Killed in Iranian Missile Strike on Kuwait Base
Six American soldiers lost their lives in an Iranian missile strike targeting a military facility in Kuwait on Sunday, the United States has confirmed.
Initially, US Central Command reported three fatalities in the incident. However, officials updated the death toll on Monday, confirming that it had doubled after one individual died from injuries sustained and two additional bodies were recovered from the rubble.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a US bunker in Kuwait was struck following a missile launch during Iran's initial retaliation, which successfully evaded air defense systems.
The six casualties represent the only confirmed fatalities reported by the US military since the commencement of a new conflict involving Iran and Israel.
"A powerful weapon struck a tactical operations centre that was fortified,"Hegseth stated, without disclosing further details about the precise location of the site.
According to three US military officials with direct knowledge of the attack, who spoke to the BBC's US partner CBS News, the service members were located in a makeshift office space within Kuwait.
These officials raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the building's fortifications, noting to CBS News that a trailer was being utilized as an office, protected by 12-foot (3.7-meter) steel-reinforced concrete barriers.
The United States maintains a long-standing defense partnership with Kuwait, where more than 13,000 American soldiers are currently stationed.
In response to attacks against it, Iran has launched missile strikes targeting Gulf countries allied with the US. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar have all experienced similar attacks.
Additional Incident Involving US Fighter Jets in Kuwait
Separately, the US confirmed that three fighter jets were downed in Kuwait on Monday due to what was described as an incident of "friendly fire."
Video footage captured the jets spiraling toward the ground. Fortunately, all pilots involved successfully ejected and survived the incident.
Iranian state media claimed that the Iranian military was responsible for shooting down the jets, although no evidence was provided to support this assertion.
