Is It True That US Troops Have Been Captured by Iran? CENTCOM's Official Explanation
Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated after Tehran claimed it had captured several American military personnel since the outbreak of hostilities last week. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, stated on X that Iran had seized a number of ‘Uncle Sam’s’ soldiers since the war began last week. Larijani accused the US government of deliberately concealing the truth by reporting the captured soldiers as casualties killed in action. ‘The truth is something they cannot hide for too long,’ he wrote on Saturday 7 March.
The US military promptly rejected the claim, as stated by Captain Tim Hawkins of the United States Navy. In line with Hawkins, a spokesperson for United States Central Command (CENTCOM) told Al Jazeera Arabic that no US personnel had been captured. To date, official US data lists six American service members killed since the start of the military operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury on 28 February. The six casualties were reported to have been killed by an Iranian drone attack on a Kuwaiti port on 1 March.
Meanwhile, reports of civilian casualties continue to mount. Tasnim News Agency reported at least 1,332 deaths over the past week. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Minab, where an airstrike by the US and Israel hit a girls primary school, Shajareh Tayyebeh, killing around 180 pupils, most of them children. A New York Times analysis indicates involvement of US airstrikes in the school incident.
President Donald Trump attended a memorial ceremony for six US service members killed by the Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. He claimed the conflict could redraw Iran’s borders and urged the Kurds not to become involved to avoid a broader conflict. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised the United States to use British bases for defensive operations against Iran amid criticism from Donald Trump.
Trump also asserted that Iran had surrendered and apologised to the Middle East after the US-Israel strikes. He warned of ‘total destruction’ should Iran resist. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly confirmed that an American submarine sank Iran’s ship Iris Dena, with casualties reported to be around 80. In the broader Middle East context, Trump commented on Iran’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup and signalled willingness to engage with Iran’s leadership after airstrikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Amid escalating tensions, the United States, China and Canada ordered evacuation of staff from Israel and Iran, as the Gerald R. Ford carrier group was positioned towards Haifa. Trump denied reports that the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs doubted the prospect of attacking Iran, insisting the military is ready if ordered.