Since the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, six United States service members have been killed in the Middle East. Four of the six have now been identified.
On Tuesday, the Department of War released the identities of four Army Reserve soldiers who died on Sunday in support of the operation against Iran.
'We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.'
The soldiers died in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba during an unmanned aircraft system attack, according to the U.S. Army's press release. All four were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa.
RELATED: US service member death toll continues to rise amid Operation Epic Fury
The deceased were identified as: Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa.
“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general U.S. Army Reserve Command.
“On behalf of the Army Reserve, we express our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. We remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the legacy of our fallen and supporting their teammates and families during this difficult time,” said Harter.
“Our nation is kept safe by folks like these — brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice," said Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general, 79th Theater Sustainment Command.
ABC News reported that the other two service members' identities are being withheld until after next of kin have been notified. They were reportedly killed in the same strike. Eighteen others were reportedly injured in the strike as well.
The incident is currently under investigation.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the United States has killed an Iranian who plotted to kill President Donald Trump.
During a Wednesday Pentagon briefing, Hegseth gave reporters the latest military actions with respect to Operation Epic Fury, just days after the United States first struck Iran alongside Israel on Saturday.
'We are fighting to win.'
"Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed," Hegseth said.
"Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh."
RELATED: Lindsey Graham feverishly demands ANOTHER Middle Eastern conflict: 'Fly with Israel'
Hegseth also announced that the United States struck and successfully sunk an Iranian warship with a torpedo, emphasizing the operation's successful takedown of the Islamic state's navy.
"An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters," Hegseth said. "Instead it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death. The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II."
"Like in that war, back when we were still the War Department, we are fighting to win."
RELATED: US service member death toll continues to rise amid Operation Epic Fury
Hegseth reiterated the United States' objectives to debilitate Iran's military capabilities, in particular its nuclear ambitions.
"As I said Monday, the mission is laser focused," Hegseth said. "Obliterate Iran's missiles and drones and facilities that produce them, annihilate its navy and critical security infrastructure, and sever their pathway to nuclear weapons."
"Iran will never possess a nuclear bomb," Hegseth added. "Not on our watch. Not ever."
Hegseth did not elaborate on sensitive details or estimated timelines, but Trump has notably predicted a four- or five-week operation in the Gulf.
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While many people have had their attention turned to the Middle East in the past week, the United States military has continued its mission of protecting the western hemisphere, launching joint operations in another South American country after arresting Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela in early January.
On Tuesday, U.S. forces launched joint operations against designated terrorist organizations in Ecuador, U.S. Southern Command announced in a press release.
'Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere.'
U.S. Southern Command described the operations as a "powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism."
"Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere," the press release added.
“We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country," said Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command.
The press release included video footage from the operation. The video shows some shots of helicopters lifting off, and some aerial footage shows a group of men gathering around or loading into a helicopter.
The announcement of the operations in Ecuador was nearly contemporaneous with another large drug bust that resulted from the cooperation of U.S., Ecuadorian, and Europol forces, according to the U.S. Embassy of Ecuador.
This joint operation, which had reportedly been carried out since January 2025, reportedly successfully dismantled the transnational drug trafficking organization Hernán Ruilova Barzola, linked to the Los Lobos cartel. Los Lobos emerged as Ecuador's largest drug trafficking organization in recent years following the assassination of the leader of a rival gang in 2020. By June 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Los Lobos as the country was engulfed in increasing violence, according to a press release at the time.
Authorities successfully apprehended 16 suspects, including a high-value target, and "significant quantities of cocaine and cash."
The embassy lauded the conclusion of the operation as an "important milestone in disrupting the operations and finances of narcoterrorists, directly contributing to the security of the United States."
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has long been a cheerleader for U.S. military interventions and/or U.S.-orchestrated regime changes around the globe in countries such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela. Iran appears, however, to have been a priority target for the senator.
Graham expressed great satisfaction when the U.S. and Israel resumed their bombardment of Iranian targets on Saturday, suggesting that "the biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us" and that "if the ayatollah goes down, historic peace advances."
After adding to reporters on Tuesday that regime change in Tehran opens "a gateway to peace," Graham animatedly indicated that he first wants to see the U.S. intervene militarily in another Middle Eastern nation.
'Settle the score, even the account.'
"One thing to President Trump, in case you're watching. In 1983, Ronald Reagan sent Marines and sailors to try to police and deal with the Lebanese civil war," said Graham. "They were at the end of the runway. Hezbollah attacked the Marine barracks, killed 220 Marines, 18 sailors, and wounded 100 others. Ronald Reagan, who I admire and love, withdrew and never did anything about it."
The senator suggested that President Donald Trump should settle the 43-year-old score.
"I'm calling on President Trump today: Join Israel to attack Hezbollah. Avenge the Marines. America never forgets," said Graham, identifying alleged Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "assets" in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as potential U.S. targets.
RELATED: Poll: GOP voters' lukewarm support for Iran strikes significantly lower than past conflicts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that Beirut "must understand that Hezbollah is dragging them into a war that is not theirs."
Israeli forces have in recent days seized control of additional strategic positions and exchanged fire with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces indicated that they have bombed numerous Hezbollah targets across the country and assassinated numerous hostile officials, including Abu Hamza Rami, the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Lebanon sector.
Graham, who is running for re-election in America, implored Trump to "come up with a new operation called 'Semper Fi.' Fly with Israel and go after Hezbollah who has American blood on its hands."
"Not only take the mothership of Iran down," continued the senator, "also take the proxy of Hezbollah. Settle the score, even the account."
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) was among those who criticized Graham over his warmongering, stating, "Lindsey hasn't seen a fist fight that he hasn't wanted to turn into a bombing raid. So I just take it with a grain of salt, dude."
BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre wrote, "Yeah, this is going well."
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How many more families will have to hear the death knell of the doorbell? At the very least, they should know what it is we’re fighting for.
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