The United States military has confirmed the identities of six American soldiers who were killed during the escalating conflict with Iran after an unmanned aircraft struck a military facility in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The attack occurred on Sunday when a drone evaded air defence systems and hit a command centre used by US personnel.
Pentagon Identifies Six US Soldiers Killed in Iran Conflict
Officials from United States Central Command initially reported that three soldiers had died in the strike. However, the death toll later rose to six after one wounded service member succumbed to injuries and two additional bodies were discovered in the rubble.
Drone Strike Targets US Command Centre in Kuwait
According to US defence officials, the drone struck a tactical operations centre located within a logistics hub in Port Shuaiba. Pete Hegseth, the US Defence Secretary, described the strike as involving a “powerful weapon” that penetrated a fortified structure.
Three US military officials told CBS News that the soldiers had been working in a makeshift office space at the time of the attack. The facility reportedly consisted of a trailer protected by steel-reinforced concrete barriers, raising questions about whether the structure provided sufficient protection.
Pentagon Confirms Identities of Fallen Soldiers
The United States Department of Defense identified the six service members as:
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54
- Major Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45
- Captain Cody Khork, 35
- Sergeant Noah Tietjens, 42
- Sergeant Nicole Amor, 39
- Sergeant Declan Coady, 20
All six soldiers served in the US Army Reserve, which provides logistical and operational support to broader American military missions worldwide.
Four of the soldiers were identified on Tuesday, while the identities of Marzan and O’Brien were released on Wednesday. The Army said Marzan’s identification will still be formally confirmed by a medical examiner.
Families and Communities Mourn the Loss
Family members and friends have shared tributes highlighting the dedication and character of the fallen soldiers.
Captain Cody Khork, a resident of Florida, had previously deployed to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay and Poland. His family said he had dreamed of military service from a young age and joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programme while at university.
Sergeant Nicole Amor from Minnesota had served multiple deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. Her husband told reporters she was nearing the end of her tour and “almost home” when the attack occurred.
Sergeant Noah Tietjens of Nebraska was remembered as a devoted husband and father. He was also a martial arts practitioner who held a black belt in Taekwondo and trained in Philippine Combatives.
Private First Class Declan Coady, from Iowa, had joined the Army Reserve just three years earlier. He served as an information technology specialist and was posthumously promoted from specialist following his death.
US Leaders Pay Tribute to the Fallen
In a statement, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll honoured the soldiers’ service, saying they “bravely volunteered to defend our country and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer ceremony when the soldiers’ remains are returned to the United States.
The Department of Defense is currently coordinating the repatriation process with the families of the fallen service members.
Rising Tensions in the Gulf
The attack comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran across the Gulf region. The US maintains a long-standing defence partnership with Kuwait, where more than 13,000 American troops are stationed.
In recent weeks, Iran has launched missiles targeting several US-allied Gulf states, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.
As the situation develops, global attention remains focused on the potential for further escalation in the region.
