Iran Claims 200 US Soldiers Killed in Recent Attacks
The conflict between Iran and Israel intensified as the war in the Middle East entered its ninth day, with both sides launching fresh attacks and regional tensions continuing to rise. Iranian authorities claimed that around 200 US military personnel had been killed in various attacks over the past 24 hours. Tehran also alleged that several American soldiers reported dead by the United States Department of Defense were actually captured during the fighting.
The US military identified four of the first American soldiers killed in the war against Iran as the Trump administration warned the intensifying conflict would lead to more American casualties https://t.co/faAgUwsQgT
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 4, 2026
Iran said it carried out retaliatory strikes targeting a refinery in the Israeli port city of Haifa and also struck a US-linked oil vessel. Officials repeated their claim that 200 US soldiers had been killed within 24 hours in different attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps further stated that drones were used to target a US oil ship and a tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed that 21 US personnel were killed at a naval base in Bahrain.
Fuel Storage
Late-night strikes were also reported inside Iran, targeting fuel storage facilities around the capital, Tehran. An oil depot near the city’s central refinery was hit, while another fuel storage site in north-western Tehran was also struck.
Witnesses reported seeing large flames and thick smoke rising from the facilities after the attacks. Another strike was reported in the Shahran district of the capital. The Israel Defence Forces later confirmed that its aircraft had targeted several fuel storage complexes used by the Iranian military based on intelligence information. Israeli officials said the storage tanks were being used to support military infrastructure and supply fuel to Iranian military institutions.
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Turkiye Warns Against Efforts to Spark Civil War in Iran
Meanwhile, Turkiye warned against attempts to provoke internal conflict in Iran. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cautioned that any effort to stir up a civil war in Iran to achieve regime change would be a historic mistake.
Speaking to journalists in Istanbul, Fidan said Turkiye opposes any scenario aimed at exploiting ethnic or religious divisions inside Iran, describing it as the most dangerous outcome of the ongoing crisis. His comments followed reports that the United States, under President Donald Trump, was considering supporting Kurdish groups for operations inside Iran.
However, Trump later said Washington was not seeking to involve Kurdish forces in the conflict. Fidan also said he discussed the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who denied any American involvement in such plans.
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