4.3 Earthquake Strikes Iran Amid Rising Conflict with US
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Tehran, March 3 (NationPress) A 4.3-magnitude earthquake hit the Gerash region of Iran on Tuesday, coinciding with the intensifying conflict within the Islamic Republic.
Initial reports did not suggest significant damage or injuries.
The earthquake further heightened the existing regional tensions.
According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), they reported on US casualties during the initial two days of what they termed as retaliatory actions. These figures reportedly vary greatly from those provided by the United States, as noted by local media on Tuesday.
An IRGC representative claimed that approximately 650 US soldiers were either killed or injured during the first two days of the counterattacks.
The spokesperson mentioned that IRGC missiles and drones targeted the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain multiple times, leading to 160 US casualties during assaults on US military bases in the region.
In contrast, the US military stated that by 4 p.m. Monday (2100 GMT), six service members had died in operations against Iran, and US media indicated that 18 others were severely wounded. US officials confirmed no fatalities occurred at military bases in Bahrain.
The IRGC representative also stated that a US combat support vessel sustained severe damage from IRGC missiles, reiterating that four cruise missiles were launched at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which subsequently retreated southeast towards the Indian Ocean, reported Xinhua news agency.
Earlier, the US Central Command formally rejected IRGC's claims of strikes on the USS Abraham Lincoln, characterizing Iranian statements as “disinformation” and a “lie,” claiming that the missiles fired by Iran “didn't even come close.”
The assertions from both parties remain unverified.