The death toll continues to climb after the United States and Israel began striking Iran, and airstrikes continue in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump warned 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 Jazeera reported. 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.
So far, four U.S. service members have been killed, according to the Pentagon. The identities of the deceased have not been released.
The following casualties have been reported in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera, citing aid organizations, government officials and local media outlets:
Additionally, 23 protestors were killed in Pakistan after demonstrations against the airstrikes turned violent, according to Reuters. 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 to Reuters.
Contributing: Reuters; Zac Anderson, Kim Hjelmgaard, and BrieAnna 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 on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.