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THE Pentagon has released images of the first four US service members killed in the Iran war.
Six soldiers were killed when an Iranian drone struck a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait on Sunday.
The Defence Department identified them as: Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39 and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20.
US Central Command initially said only three had been killed, but revealed on Monday that another had died of their injuries.
Later, they said the remains of two previously unaccounted-for service members were recovered from the facility.
According to a report, the six service members were inside a makeshift command center with no overhead protection when the drone struck.
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Military officials told CBS the structure was a triple-wide trailer with no strong protection from an overhead attack.
The trailer’s only fortifications were 12ft T-walls, a steel-reinforced concrete barrier designed to protect military personnel from explosions.
The Shuaiba port also lacked counter-rocket, artillery and mortar systems.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell strongly denied these claims.
“Every possible measure has been taken to safeguard our troops – at every level,” Parnell wrote on X.
“The Department is prepared for this engagement and has hardened our defences.
“We will continue fighting in a way that hardens our six fallen: no apologies, no hesitation.
“Epic fury for them and for every American lost at the hands of Iranian radicals.”
In a video message, Donald Trump offered his condolences to families but warned there would likely be more American casualties.
“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” Trump said.
“And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is.”
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War Secretary Pete Hegseth called the fallen soldiers “the absolute best of America”.
“May we prosecute the remainder of the operation in a manner that honors them,” he said.
The US and Israel launched a massive military operation on Saturday, including striking Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s compound in Tehran and killing him.
Further airstrikes have reduced the building where Iran was choosing its new supreme leader to rubble.
However, it is understood that Ali Khamenei’s second-oldest son, Mojtaba, has been selected to replace his late father.
US officials confirmed on Monday their forces have sunk 17 Iranian warships & hit 2,000 targets already inside the country.
Despite Washington‘s much of Iran’s top cabinet, the rogue nation has continuing to fire back.
Explosions have rocked the Middle East as Tehran unleashes “revenge” fire – with blasts reported in Dubai, Doha, Saudi Arabia, and a British RAF base in Cyprus.
Earlier today, the US Consulate in Dubai was struck by a drone, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky above the city.
Reports emerged soon after claiming a CIA station in Saudi Arabia was hit in separate drone strike.
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