ANN ANish News Network | Wednesday, 01 April 2026 | 3:13 PM

The commander of Iran’s Ground Force has called on families of US military personnel deployed across West Asia to contact their relatives, citing alleged censorship of casualty figures by the United States Central Command, amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.

Statement by Iranian Commander

In a post shared on the social media platform X, Ali Jahanshahi, a Brigadier General and commander of Iran’s Ground Force, claimed that CENTCOM has “heavily censored the reported number of American soldiers killed.”

He urged families of deployed personnel to reach out within a 24-hour window, stating:

“We recommend that, within the next 24 hours, families of US military personnel who have been deployed to West Asia contact their children.”

Jahanshahi further added, “We will see what happens,” suggesting that additional developments regarding the status of US personnel may emerge.

Claims of Military Operations and Casualties

The remarks follow recent statements from Iran’s military leadership, including the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which alleged that more than 500 US troops were targeted in operations conducted over the weekend.

Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari claimed that US forces had withdrawn from their regional bases due to sustained assaults and were reportedly taking refuge at two separate locations outside conventional installations.

According to the statement:

  • One location in Dubai allegedly housed over 400 personnel
  • Another site reportedly contained more than 100 personnel
  • Both were said to have been struck by precision missiles and drones launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The IRGC described the strikes as causing “very heavy losses,” though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.

Additional Military Developments

Iranian military officials also reported earlier operations targeting six tactical vessels operated by US forces in the Persian Gulf, asserting that a “large number” of personnel were killed.

However, official figures reported by the United States Central Command indicate that 13 American troops have been killed since the onset of the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel.

Broader Regional Context

The tensions are part of a broader escalation involving Iran, United States, and Israel, following renewed aerial operations that began on February 28.

Iran has responded to these developments with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories, as well as US military positions and interests across the region.

Political Dimension

The Iranian statements included direct warnings referencing US leadership, including former President Donald Trump, urging US authorities to reconsider their military posture in the region.

Iranian officials have repeatedly characterized the ongoing conflict as a high-risk escalation, with rhetoric emphasizing deterrence and potential consequences for continued military engagement.

Outlook

The situation remains fluid, with competing narratives from Iranian authorities and US officials regarding casualties and operational outcomes. Independent verification of battlefield claims remains limited due to restricted access and ongoing hostilities.

As tensions continue to mount across West Asia, diplomatic channels and military posturing are expected to play a critical role in shaping the next phase of the conflict.