Iran Claims 200 U.S. Troops Killed as Regional War Escalates

Tensions between Iran and Israel rose sharply as the conflict entered its ninth day, with both sides launching fresh strikes and the regional situation becoming increasingly unstable, according to reports from the 24NewsHD on Sunday.

Iranian officials claimed that roughly 200 American military personnel were killed in different attacks over the last 24 hours. Tehran also alleged that several US soldiers whom the United States had reported as dead were actually captured during the fighting.

Reports indicated that Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian territory intensified overnight, hitting several energy facilities. Iranian media said fuel storage sites in multiple locations were damaged, including depots in the city of Karaj close to the capital Tehran. Fires were also reported at an oil refinery following the attacks.

In response, Iran said it carried out retaliatory strikes targeting a refinery in the Israeli port city of Haifa and also attacked a US-linked oil tanker. Iranian officials again claimed that around 200 US troops had been killed in various operations within a single day.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it used drones to strike a US oil vessel and a tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC also claimed that 21 US personnel were killed at a naval facility in Bahrain.

Late-night Israeli strikes reportedly targeted fuel storage facilities around Tehran. One depot near the capital’s central refinery was hit, while another storage facility in north-western Tehran also came under attack.

Witnesses reported large flames and thick smoke rising from the damaged sites, and another strike was reported in the Shahran district of the capital.

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its aircraft targeted several fuel storage complexes allegedly used by Iranian military forces. Israeli officials stated the depots were supplying fuel to military infrastructure and operational units.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities maintained that some US troops declared dead by the United States Department of Defense were actually captured during the conflict.

Senior Iranian figure Ali Larijani said several American soldiers had been taken into custody during the week-long clashes.

In a statement shared on social media, Larijani claimed Iranian authorities had information indicating that a number of US personnel were being held as prisoners, despite Washington reporting them as casualties.

He added that the United States would ultimately face the consequences of what he described as its miscalculations in the region. Larijani said the Iranian leadership remained united in responding to the attacks and insisted the country would continue to defend itself.

Larijani also warned that although Iran had no conflict with neighbouring states, any US bases used for attacks against Iran could become legitimate targets. He noted that while the Strait of Hormuz had not been officially closed, the ongoing war had already affected activity in the vital maritime route.