Here is the rewritten story with the unsupported numeric claim removed: Live Updates: Latest from Israel, Iran, and the Middle East Israel and the United States initiated Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, with stated objectives to create conditions for regime change in Iran. The campaign included an Israeli strike on a Tehran bunker that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's defense minister, and several IRGC generals, marking the largest aerial operation in Israeli Air Force history. Iran responded with missile attacks across the Middle East, targeting Gulf states and U.S. military bases. Since the start of these operations, ballistic missile strikes on Israel have resulted in 39 IDF soldier deaths, 23 civilian fatalities, and at least 7,693 injuries, while CENTCOM confirmed 18 U.S. soldier deaths. A ceasefire announced on April 7 took effect the following day.