4.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Iran’s Gerash as IRGC, US Clash Over Casualty Claims

A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Gerash region of Iran on Tuesday as tensions between Tehran and Washington continued to escalate, with no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

The tremor occurred amid intensifying hostilities in the Islamic Republic, compounding an already volatile security situation. Authorities did not indicate significant structural damage or injuries in the immediate aftermath of the quake.

Simultaneously, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released figures on US casualties during what it described as the first two days of retaliatory operations. The numbers sharply diverged from those issued by the United States.

An IRGC spokesperson claimed that up to 650 US soldiers were killed or wounded during the initial phase of the retaliation. The spokesperson stated that IRGC missiles and drones repeatedly targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and that attacks on US military installations in Bahrain resulted in 160 American casualties.

The United States military provided a contrasting account. As of 4 p.m. Monday (2100 GMT), US officials said six service members had been killed in operations against Iran. US media further reported that 18 additional troops sustained serious injuries. American authorities maintained that there were no fatalities at US military bases in Bahrain.

The IRGC spokesperson also asserted that a US combat support vessel sustained heavy damage from Iranian missile strikes. He reiterated that four cruise missiles had been launched at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, alleging that the vessel subsequently withdrew southeast toward the Indian Ocean.

US Central Command formally rejected the Iranian claims, describing assertions that the USS Abraham Lincoln had been struck as “disinformation” and a “lie.” The command stated that the missiles launched by Iran “didn’t even come close” to the aircraft carrier.

The competing statements from Tehran and Washington could not be independently verified.

The earthquake in Gerash adds a layer of uncertainty to an already tense regional climate, as both sides continue to exchange accusations over military engagements and casualty figures.