KATHMANDU: The number of American service members killed in the US military campaign against Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, has risen to six. At least 18 others have been injured, though the Pentagon has not released further details about the condition of the wounded.

The United States Central Command confirmed that one critically injured soldier died while receiving treatment. The bodies of two previously missing troops were also recovered, bringing the total death toll to six.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference on Monday that an Iranian missile managed to evade American air defense systems and struck a military installation. According to him, the missile hit a US Tactical Operations Center based in Kuwait.

Hegseth acknowledged that although American defense systems are highly advanced, some incoming projectiles-referred to in technical terms as “squirters”-can occasionally penetrate defenses and cause damage.

The latest casualties come after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran last Saturday, escalating tensions across the region.