Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Sasan / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Staff Addie Davis 4:58 PM – Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell reported that approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded, so far, since the advent of Operation Epic Fury — the U.S.-led military campaign targeting Iran to dismantle its security infrastructure, including command centers, air defenses and naval assets.
In an emailed statement, Parnell, who serves as the assistant to the secretary of war for public affairs, explained further that most of the injuries were “minor” and the majority of service members have already returned to duty, according to surfacing reports.
“The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” he said. “Eight service members remain listed as severely injured and are receiving the highest level of medical care.”
The Pentagon also confirmed on Monday that seven U.S. service members have been killed since the onset of the Middle Eastern conflict.
On February 28th, the United States and Israel initiated Operation Epic Fury. Since the military campaign began, American and Israeli forces have reportedly neutralized numerous strategic assets and high-ranking regime officials, most notably, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
“More than 5,000 enemy targets have been struck so far,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday after taking reporter questions.
Leavitt detailed the significant degradation of Iran’s offensive capabilities, noting that the frequency of their strikes has plummeted. Specifically, she highlighted that Iranian ballistic missile launches have decreased by 90%, while unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) attacks have seen an 85% reduction since the onset of operations.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks on the success of Operation Epic Fury: “More than 5,000 enemy targets have been struck so far. Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90%, and their drone attacks are down by approximately 85% since the start of Operation Epic… pic.twitter.com/mePupZ3dG7
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the administration’s resolve, stating that the United States will maintain a high-tempo offensive. Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. will continue to execute precision strikes with “unrelenting force” until the coalition’s strategic objectives are fully realized and the threat to regional stability is neutralized.
“Today will be, yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” he declared.
Since the U.S. and Israel first targeted Iran at the end of February, the Islamic Republic has retaliated by launching a slew of attacks across the globe, drawing condemnation from surrounding nations. Though military targets have been hit, the attacks have included strikes against civilian structures.
“The big mistake by the Iranian regime was to start targeting its neighbors,” Hegseth said, adding that those neighbors have now been cooperating with and assisting the U.S.
.@SecWar: “Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran — the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes… On the other hand, the last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest number of missiles.” pic.twitter.com/ob9o8iKv1M
