More than 750 U.S. service members wounded since Iran war began
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – More than 750 U.S. service members have been wounded and 18 killed since the start of the war with Iran on Feb. 28, according to updated Pentagon casualty figures reported by CNN on Wednesday.
The Defense Department updated its war casualty database on Wednesday, adding more than 50 wounded personnel as efforts to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked.
Combined figures from the Pentagon’s Defense Casualty Analysis System show that 757 U.S. service members have been wounded and 18 killed in Operation Epic Fury and a separate category labeled “Overseas Operations,” CNN reported.
The Pentagon created the Overseas Operations category in July to record personnel killed or wounded beginning July 7, but has not provided further details about the conflict linked to those casualties.
The date coincides with the day the Trump administration informed Congress that a new conflict with Iran had begun under the War Powers Act.
CNN said it had sought clarification from the Pentagon regarding the category.
The latest figures come weeks after the Pentagon faced scrutiny from media outlets and lawmakers when casualty totals in the database temporarily declined despite continued Iranian attacks.
Four deaths and dozens of injuries were removed from the figures in July before later being restored.
The Defense Department said at the time that the changes resulted from “temporary data disruptions.”
The updated figures underscore the growing human toll of the conflict as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain stalled.