Factbox: Assessing the Human Cost of the US-Israeli Conflict with Iran
Since the escalation of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, 2026, thousands of lives have been lost across the Middle East. This conflict, marked by reciprocal strikes and regional spillover, has resulted in significant civilian and military casualties. The following death tolls are based on reports from various authorities and organizations, though Reuters has not independently verified these figures.
Iran: High Civilian Casualties Reported
According to the U.S.-based rights group HRANA, as of Tuesday, 3,291 people have been killed since the war began. This includes 1,455 civilians, with at least 217 children among the victims. HRANA sources its data from field reports, local contacts, medical sources, and official statements. Separately, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations stated on Wednesday that at least 1,500 civilians have died in U.S.-Israeli strikes. It remains unclear if this figure accounts for the at least 104 individuals killed in a U.S. attack on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka on March 4.
Lebanon: Significant Impact from Israeli Strikes
Lebanese authorities report that 1,072 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2. This tragic count includes at least 121 children, highlighting the severe humanitarian toll in the region.
Iraq: Casualties Among Militia and Civilians
Iraqi authorities confirm that at least 88 people have been killed. Most of these fatalities are members of the Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces. Additionally, one foreign crew member died in an attack on tankers near an Iraqi port, according to port security officials.
Israel: Deaths from Iranian Attacks and Friendly Fire
Iranian missile attacks have resulted in 16 fatalities in Israel, as reported by Israel's ambulance service. The Israeli military also noted that two soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon. In a separate incident, Israeli forces misfired, killing an Israeli farmer near the Lebanon border on March 22. Further, on March 24, a woman was killed following missile fire towards northern Israel.
West Bank: Palestinian Casualties
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, four Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack, adding to the regional devastation.
United States: Military Losses
The U.S. military has reported 13 service members killed. Six died in a crash of a U.S. military refuelling aircraft over Iraq, while seven others were killed in action during operations against Iran.
Gulf States and Other Regions
- United Arab Emirates: Eight people, including two army soldiers, have been killed in Iranian attacks, per the UAE defence ministry.
- Qatar: Seven fatalities occurred in a helicopter crash on March 22 due to a technical malfunction during routine duty. Four were Qatari armed forces personnel, one a Turkish serviceman, and two technicians from Turkey's ASELSAN.
- Kuwait: Authorities report six deaths, including two from Iranian attacks, two interior ministry officers, and two army soldiers.
- Syria: Four people died when an Iranian missile struck a building in Sweida on February 28, according to state news agency SANA.
- Oman: Two fatalities were reported on March 13 from a drone strike in Sohar province, with one earlier death from a projectile hitting a tanker off Muscat.
- Saudi Arabia: Two people were killed when a projectile fell on a residential area in Al-Kharj city.
- Bahrain: Two people died in separate Iranian attacks, including one in a residential building in Manama. The UAE defence ministry also reported a Moroccan civilian contractor killed in an attack on Bahrain.
France: International Involvement
One French soldier was killed and six others wounded in a drone attack in northern Iraq, where they were providing counter-terrorism training, underscoring the conflict's broader international ramifications.
Note: All casualty figures are based on reported data and have not been independently verified by Reuters. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing hostilities potentially affecting these numbers.
