Israeli military says 1,900 Iranian soldiers and commanders killed by strikes alone

Published March 9, 2026 5:12pm ET



Israel’s military said it has killed over 1,900 Iranian soldiers and commanders in “Operation Roaring Lion,” not counting those killed in U.S. airstrikes, since the start of the war on Feb. 28.

U.S. military officials said the total number of sorties on the first day of “Operation Epic Fury” was twice the number carried out in the 2003 “shock and awe” air campaign against Iraq, while Israel said its air campaign launched five times more sorties than during the 12-day war. This pace of airstrikes has taken a toll on Iran’s military, with army spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin claiming that Israeli air strikes have killed nearly 2,000 Iranian soldiers and commanders and wounded thousands more.

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