U.S. and Iranian officials exchanged conflicting casualty figures as global markets and shipping routes faced disruptions following the violence on March 2.
On March 2, reports indicated that Iranian leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were killed amid heightened regional tensions. The U.S. reported 48 Iranian deaths and three American casualties, while Iranian authorities claimed 560 U.S. losses. The incident immediately impacted global financial markets and maritime operations, prompting defense statements from multiple nations as concerns over regional stability intensified.