Death toll continues to rise after US and Israel struck Iran

March 02, 2026 Vaclavien Pynzarien
Death toll continues to rise after US and Israel struck Iran

The death toll continues to climb after theUnited States and Israel began striking Iran, and airstrikes continue in the Middle East.

USA TODAY

President Donald Trumpwarned that airstrikes targeting Iran's ballistic missile program and navy could continue for weeks, and more American casualties are to be expected.

"Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends," Trump said about U.S. troop deaths. "That's the way it is."

Since the strikes began on Saturday, Feb. 28, Iran launched attacks on 27 U.S. bases and other targets across nine countries,Al Jazeerareported. Counterattacks occurred in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

As of Monday, March 2, the deaths of four U.S. service personnel were confirmed, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

A U.K. base in Cyprus was also struck by Iran, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.

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<p style=Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a <p style=Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A graffiti on a wall reads People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. <p style=A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a <p style=Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026,

Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran

Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

Live updates on Iran:US fighter jets crash in Kuwait as Iran conflict continues.

How many US service members have been killed?

So far, four U.S. service members have been killed, according to the Pentagon. The identities of the deceased have not been released.

What is the death toll in other countries?

The following casualties have been reported in the Middle East, according toAl Jazeera, citing aid organizations, government officials and local media outlets:

  • Iran - 555 killed, hundreds injured

  • Israel - 10 killed, hundreds injured

  • The United Arab Emirates - 3 killed, 58 injured

  • Bahrain - 1 killed, 4 injured

  • Iraq - 2 killed, 5 injured

  • Kuwait - 1 killed, 32 injured

  • Lebanon - 31 killed, 149 injured

  • Qatar -16 injured, no deaths reported

  • Oman - 5 injured, no deaths reported

  • Saudi Arabia - No deaths or injuries reported

Additionally, 23 protestors were killed in Pakistan after demonstrations against the airstrikes turned violent, according toReuters.In the Pakistani city Karachi, 10 people were killed after guards at the U.S. consulate fired on demonstrators who breached an outer wall; 11 people in the northern city of Skardu were killed after a crowd set fire to a U.N. office; and two more people were killed in Islamabad.

One Chinese citizen was also killed in the US-Israeli strikes that hit Tehran, the capital of Iran, according toReuters.

Contributing: Reuters;Zac Anderson,Kim Hjelmgaard, andBrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many have died after US and Israel struck Iran?

 

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