Middle east conflict : Four US soldiers identified after war deaths; Army Secretary expresses grief

Middle east conflict : Four of the six US servicemen killed in Sunday’s Iranian drone strike have been named by the Pentagon. “It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing away of four U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers conducting Operation Epic Fury on March 1st,” the US Army Reserve said in a statement.

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CNN said that the troops were identified as Capt. Cody Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20. The four were all assigned to the Iowa-based Army Reserve sustainment outfit known as the 103rd Sustainment Command.

The Chief of Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, stated, “We honour our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defence of our nation,” according to the US Army Reserve X post.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the deaths of four U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers supporting Operation Epic Fury on March 1st.

“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation.” said Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve. pic.twitter.com/r4zBm3hfyt

— U.S. Army Reserve (@USArmyReserve) March 4, 2026

On Wednesday, US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll expressed sorrow over the soldiers’ deaths in the ongoing combat and verified injuries connected to recent Iranian attacks on US forces in West Asia.

“I’m deeply saddened by the loss and injury of our Soldiers from the recent Iranian attacks on U.S. Army forces in the Middle East,” he posted to X. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to all those impacted by these terrible attacks.”We shall never forget the courageous volunteerism of these men and women to protect our nation,” he said.

Nine drones were stopped after entering Saudi airspace, according to the Saudi Defence Ministry. “Nine drones were intercepted and destroyed immediately after entering Saudi airspace,” a ministry spokesperson stated, as reported by Saudi Gazette on X.

Also reads : Trump Warns Iran of Force ‘Never Seen Before’ Amid Threats of Retaliation

Earlier, on day four of Operation Epic Fury, the United States increased the intensity of its strikes while Iran launched a counteroffensive on US forces in the Gulf.

In a briefing on Tuesday , US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the US will not stop and that Iran’s capacity to retaliate is fast diminishing.We have already hit around 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 explosives in less than 100 hours of this operation.

We have destroyed hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones and seriously weakened Iran’s air defences. To put it simply, we are concentrating on shooting everything that has the potential to shoot at us. Our B-1 and B-2 bombers have carried out uncontested surgical attacks against many missile installations located deep within Iran. He added, “And just last night, a B-52 bomber force hit command and control posts and ballistic missiles.”

Iran’s counterattack persists in spite of this guarantee. According to a source cited by Fox News, a drone attack targeted a CIA station located within the US Embassy property in Riyadh. According to officials, two drones within the property caused smoke and structural damage. According to the news report, there were no immediate reports of injuries.

A fire that started near the US Consulate General in Dubai late Tuesday night after a suspected drone strike has been completely put out, and authorities have confirmed that no injuries were reported. This comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East following military strikes on Iran.

A drone-related fire near the US Consulate has been effectively suppressed, according to Dubai authorities. Immediately, emergency teams arrived. There are no known injuries.

Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Ayatollah Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, and other important officials, the Middle East conflict has reached its fourth day. Tehran has retaliated by launching counterattacks against Israeli assets throughout the region as well as American military outposts.