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Pentagon identifies soldiers killed in Kuwait
The Pentagon has identified four U.S. soldiers killed in Kuwait as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.
The Pentagon has released the names of four of the six service members were killed in the Iran war, saying they died in a drone strike in Kuwait.
All four Army Reserve soldiers were killed Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. That was just a day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, which launched retaliatory strikes.
RELATED: Live updates: Iran operations continue; gas prices rise 11 cents overnight
All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, lowa.
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Rubio clarifies US objectives in Iran
At a press conference after briefing the Gang of 8 in Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave clarifying comments on what exactly are the objectives of the US military in the Iran strikes named the Operation Epic Fury, which has sparked retaliations from Iran across the Middle East in Israel and other countries and US military bases.
Here are the details and what we’ve learned:
6 American service members killed
The backstory:
As of Tuesday, the US military has said that six American service members have died overseas in the Iran operations. Three of the deaths were announced Sunday, and the other three were announced Monday.
Central Command has mentioned at least five other troops being seriously wounded in the attacks.
What they're saying:
"It with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge and recognize our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Our Soldiers relentlessly, consistently, and fearlessly served with sincere dedication and pride," said Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, Deputy Commanding General, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operational Command Post. "They were the ultimate ambassadors for freedom. They represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort in their memories. We will never forget them."
4 American soldiers identified
Dig deeper:
The four dead American soldiers who were identified Tuesday were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, lowa.
RELATED: Iran attack: US posts footage of strikes, launch of Operation Epic Fury
Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa.
Coady was posthumously promoted from specialist and enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as a 25B (Army Information Technology Specialist).
Coady’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Amor enlisted in the National Guard as a 92A (Automated Logistics Specialist) in 2005.
She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006 and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
Amor’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic).
He had two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019.
Tietjens’ awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal With "M" Device.
Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida. ( U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.
Khork enlisted as a 13P (Multiple Launch Rocket System / Fire Direction Specialist) in the National Guard in 2009 and later commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014.
He deployed to Saudia Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and Poland in 2024.
Khork’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and "M" Device, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
US and Israel attack Iran
The backstory:
On Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, and Trump said the U.S. was starting major combat operations against Iran.
The strikes killed the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other high ranking officials, throwing its leadership into question and raising the risk of regional instability.
RELATED: World leaders react to 'Operation Epic Fury' US - Israel military strikes across Iran
Dig deeper:
Trump said there were four objectives for the continuing operations:
- Destroy Iran’s missile capabilities
- Wipe out its naval capacity
- Stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon
- "Ensure that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders."
This is the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. He said he expected the operations to last for 4 to 5 weeks.
The Source: This Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from official U.S. government sources, including the Pentagon. This story was reported from Los Angeles.