Six American soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a tactical operations center located inside Port Shuaiba, a civilian seaport in Kuwait. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press showed the main building destroyed, with smoke rising from the site. A United States official confirmed the location, which was miles away from the primary Army base at Camp Arifjan.

The operations hub was described by the husband of one of the slain soldiers as a shipping container style structure with no defenses. He said troops had been dispersed from their main base out of concern it could be targeted, believing smaller, separated locations would be safer. The facility was situated near commercial shipping piers, oil storage tanks, refineries and a power plant.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the soldiers were killed when a projectile penetrated air defenses, and the Defense Department later confirmed the strike was carried out by a drone. A Pentagon spokesman said the site was fortified with six foot walls and highlighted extensive regional air defense coverage, though questions remain about the precautions in place. The attack comes amid escalating conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, with leaders warning that additional American casualties are possible.