US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins stated on 16/3 that over 200 US service members were injured across seven nations: Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Of these, over 180 personnel have returned to duty after treatment.

This figure represents an increase of about 60 people compared to the statement made last week by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The number of seriously injured service members also rose from 8 to 10.

Most of these incidents occurred during the initial days of Operation "Horrific Fury". A few injuries have been reported in recent days, attributed to health issues emerging later after early attacks, primarily involving traumatic brain injuries.

A US fighter jet on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on 3/3. Photo: AP

The US military reported seven soldiers killed in Iranian attacks. Additionally, six other service members died last week when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq, an accident believed to be due to a collision with a similar US aircraft.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that most US military casualties resulted from suicide drone attacks. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noted that nearly 90% of injuries were minor.

CENTCOM announced that the US military has struck over 7,000 targets in Iran since the operation began, while Israel conducted approximately 8,000 strikes. Targeted sites included anti-ship missile launchers, ballistic missile and drone production facilities, weapon depots, and Iranian air defense systems.

CENTCOM Commander Charles Cooper affirmed that the US has maintained "overwhelming firepower" throughout the past 16 days and holds air superiority, enabling US aircraft to conduct missions over Iranian territory without significant hindrance.

Iran has recently launched missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting US military installations and civilian sites in several Gulf nations, in retaliation for the campaign initiated by the US and Israel on 28/2.

The most damaging attack occurred on 28/2 at Shuaiba port in Kuwait, where a suicide drone struck a US tactical operations center, killing six soldiers. Another service member died after being injured in an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes, remains almost completely blockaded. This has caused energy prices to escalate and raised concerns about inflation.

Thanh Danh (According to Washington Post, AP)