Pentagon ‘Covering Up' American Casualties in Yemen War: Intercept Report
US President Donald Trump is facing growing scrutiny for withholding information about US military casualties resulting from the ongoing illegal military campaign in Yemen.
According to a report by The Intercept published Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the White House have refused to disclose how many US service members have been killed or wounded since the launch of Operation Rough Rider in March 2025.
The operation has involved over 1,000 US airstrikes against the Ansarallah-led Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) and killed hundreds of Yemenis, including many civilians.
Representative Ro Khanna of California criticized the White House, calling for full disclosure. 'The administration should be transparent about the number of US casualties from the attacks on the Houthis,' he said, referring to Ansarallah. His colleague, Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, echoed the sentiment, warning that US forces should never have been put in harm's way through unconstitutional military action lacking Congressional approval.
One recent incident underscored the risks: an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet fell off the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier earlier this week after the ship reportedly made a sharp turn to avoid a Yemeni missile. One sailor was injured, and the $60 million jet was lost.
When The Intercept asked the Pentagon for casualty figures, officials deflected and directed the inquiry to CENTCOM. After this CENTCOM referred the request to the White House, which has remained silent.
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Gulf Insider
17 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
'Serious Damage' To Iran's Nuclear Facilities As Israeli Jets Operate Over Tehran's Skies
Israel's military on Saturday has been busy touting that its warplanes have total air superiority over Western Iran and the capital area, as the Islamic Republic's defenses have been largely degraded and destroyed. A senior IDF military official has been cited in local media as saying very significant damage has been inflicted on key nuclear sites and that the IDF will 'continue'. 'Since the beginning of the operation, Iran's nuclear project has suffered heavy blows in two main areas: Damage to the production of the weapon core through strikes on uranium enrichment and conversion sites in Natanz and Isfahan [and] damage to the regime's weaponization group through the elimination of nine nuclear scientists with unique knowledge and experience in developing the nuclear detonation device,' the official said. And further that 'all the scientists eliminated in the opening strike had, over the years, been involved in developing the nuclear detonation device.' 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Images of large-scale destruction have emerged from both capitals, with Israeli authorities saying at least four citizens have been killed – though casualty figures could be much higher amid an ongoing emergency response – and Iran says Israeli attacks have killed at least 78, including women and children, and wounded over 320 others. Israel has shared footage of successful aerial attacks on Iran's ballistic missile launchers in some cases, while the IDF has announced that 70 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in the overnight operation in Tehran to establish 'aerial freedom of action' over the Iranian capital. Some 40 sites were targeted, including air defense systems, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin has said. Israeli jets were able to fly over and around the capital for some two-and-half hours. 'The dozens of aircraft are flying freely over Tehran, thanks to the opening blow that removed the threat of Iranian air defense systems,' he declared. Characterizing this as the deepest operation the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has ever been involved in over Iran, he announced: 'Tehran is no longer immune; the capital is exposed to Israeli strikes.' Israeli jets have yet to strike all of Iran's nuclear facilities, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned that this could continue for several days more. There is serious damage reported at Natanz nuclear site. There have been conflicting reports over whether there is any radiation or chemical contamination at the site. Some sections of the Isfahan site have been damaged, the IDF has said, while the other key site of Fordo has yet to be targeted. Important, Israel says that nine nuclear scientists have been killed as a result of Friday aerial operations. Clearly Israel is going for leadership decapitation of military and nuclear programs. Still, even with Iran's military capabilities now being steadily degraded, the Islamic Republic has to some degree shown it can regroup and hit back. Israeli media has described a state of panic on the streets, and in some cases residential areas have been demolished: Israelis on Saturday described the fear, chaos and confusion as several Iranian missiles slammed into houses and apartments in central Israel overnight, causing widespread destruction, killing three people and wounding dozens. Warning sirens sent millions of people rushing for safe rooms and bomb shelters as Iran fired several waves of missiles in response to Israeli strikes on its military leadership and nuclear program. While the IDF said most were intercepted, several missiles — apparently armed with large explosive warheads — slammed into homes in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Rishon Lezion. 'We shut the door, started watching the news through the computer, and suddenly there was a boom so loud that the whole building teetered,' Tali Horesh, resident of a Tel Aviv high-rise that was hit Friday night, told the Ynet news site. ⚠️RAW FOOTAGE: Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours. The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025 Meanwhile President Trump has been nowhere to be seen, and certainly hasn't faced reporters' questions on where the United States stands in all this. Is Israel committed to full war for regime change in Iran at this point? Israel has decided to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to try to cause total state collapse. Unless Iran establishes deterrence in the very short term by striking both Israeli and US assets in the region and eliminating top figures in the Israeli regime, they will… — ☀️👀 (@zei_squirrel) June 14, 2025 developing…
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain, GCC nations condemn Israeli attack on Iran
Bahrain and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations yesterday issued strong condemnation of Israel's deadly airstrikes on Iran, warning of grave repercussions for regional peace and security. The unified rebuke came amid mounting fears of a full-scale war, a 12% spike in oil prices, and renewed uncertainty over fragile US-Iran nuclear talks. In a sweeping assault, Israel reportedly killed Iran's armed forces chief of staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guards, and several senior nuclear scientists. It said the strikes targeted critical military and nuclear facilities. Tehran labelled the attacks a 'declaration of war' and vowed a 'bitter and painful' response. The United States denied any role in the strike but warned Iran against targeting American personnel or interests. Former US President Donald Trump warned of 'even more brutal' attacks if Iran failed to reach a nuclear deal. Iran responded by launching nearly 100 drones, which Israeli forces claimed to be intercepting. Bahrain: Halt military escalation The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for immediate restraint and a halt to hostilities. 'It is necessary to end this regional conflict for the benefit of all the people of the region,' it said, stressing the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and continuing US-Iran nuclear negotiations scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Saudi Arabia: Blatant aggression Saudi Arabia denounced the strikes as 'blatant Israeli aggressions' that violated Iranian sovereignty and international law. 'These heinous attacks place a major responsibility on the international community and the UN Security Council to act swiftly,' it said. UAE and Oman: Step back The UAE urged 'utmost self-restraint and wise judgment', while Oman called the strikes a 'dangerous and reckless escalation' that risked devastating consequences for the region. Qatar and Kuwait: Deep concern, urgent action Qatar expressed 'deep concern', calling the strike a 'flagrant violation' of sovereignty. Kuwait described the assault as a product of 'chaotic policies', warning it endangered the entire region. Both called on the UN Security Council to uphold international law and restore calm. Nuclear talks in jeopardy The Israeli assault cast serious doubt on Sunday's planned USIran nuclear talks in Oman. The IAEA confirmed Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity—well above the 3.67% cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, but below the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran fires back Meanwhile, in a late-night counterstrike, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel. Air raid sirens and explosions were reported across the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of 'several waves of Iranian attacks.' AFP reported smoke billowing over downtown Tel Aviv as Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacking dozens of Israeli targets. Israeli emergency services said several people were trapped in a high-rise building hit in central Israel. The missile strike came just hours after Israel's initial raids reportedly killed several top Iranian generals, including much of the Revolutionary Guards' air force leadership. Netanyahu tells Iranians 'more is on the way' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday in a message to Iranians that Israel would press its campaign after launching waves of strikes. 'In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal,' Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding: 'More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.'
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Iran Fires Missiles at Israel in Retaliation for Attacks on Nuclear Sites
Missiles lit up the skies over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem late Friday night, triggering air raid sirens and panic across Israel, after Iran launched a major strike in response to recent Israeli attacks on its territory. Iran's state news agency IRNA confirmed that hundreds of ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in what it called a "legitimate retaliation" for Israel's earlier strikes. Just days ago, Israel reportedly carried out one of its largest attacks on Iranian soil, targeting the underground nuclear facility at Natanz and killing several top Iranian military commanders. The situation has escalated fears of a broader regional conflict, with Israeli military sources saying the missile barrage targeted sensitive defense sites, though full damage assessments are still underway. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in, urging Iran to stop its attacks and calling for a return to the negotiating table. 'There is still a path to a new nuclear deal,' Trump said, warning that continued aggression would only isolate Tehran further. In response to the rising tensions, the United Nations Security Council has announced an emergency meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation and explore ways to de-escalate the crisis.
