The U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran — dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" — entered its fourth day Tuesday with President Donald Trump refusing to rule out deploying American ground troops and warning the conflict could last "four to five weeks or more." At least four U.S. servicemembers have been killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes, adding urgent anxiety for thousands of military families in the San Diego region.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, at a morning press conference, confirmed the American fatalities. Air Force General Dan Caine offered "deep condolences" to families of those killed, calling them "heroes," and warned that "additional losses can be expected during further major combat operations." Hegseth said Operation Epic Fury aims to "destroy Iranian missile production, Navy and security infrastructure" and ensure Iran "will never have nuclear weapons." He described the campaign as a response to "47 years of aggression" by Iran against the United States and its allies.
When asked about the possibility of ground troops, Hegseth declined to rule it out: "We'll go as far as we need to go to advance American interests." Trump echoed the sentiment in a New York Post interview, stating, "Every president says, there will be no boots on the ground. I don't say it."
Iran has continued retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. military bases, Israel, and civilian sites across the Middle East — including airports, hotels, and a British air base in Cyprus. Iran's Red Crescent reports 555 Iranians killed, while at least 18 people died in Iranian strikes on Israel, according to the Times of Israel. U.S. defense systems have successfully blocked most incoming missile attacks, Hegseth said.
San Diego remains directly in the story. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers at Miramar Naval Air Station were among the U.S. forces involved. Multiple San Diego-area warships are now deployed to the region. The conflict has drawn bipartisan criticism in Washington: California Senator Chuck Schumer demanded full disclosure; San Diego Representative Sara Jacobs, on the House Armed Services Committee, condemned the action on CNN; and Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul called the strikes unconstitutional. Hegseth responded that diplomatic overtures were made and rejected by Iran. All San Diego-area military installations remain on heightened alert.