Pentagon reports more than 600 Iran war casualties in quiet database update | US news
The Pentagon updated its official combat casualty database over the weekend, adding more than 140 wounded soldiers. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) also introduced a new casualty category The “Overseas Operations” label was placed for the dead and injured personnel “as of July 7”.
According to updated databaseThe official death toll for the previous phase of the US-Iran war, known as Operation Epic Rage, now means 14 soldiers were killed and more than 400 were injured during the operation.
These figures were the subject of controversy after the Pentagon downgraded the toll to 18 deaths and 482 injuries previously recorded just a few days earlier.
The dispute arose after the ceasefire with Iran ended and almost daily air strikes resumed from 6 July. In an unprecedented move, analysts and officials have questioned whether casualties from renewed fighting should be counted separately from Operation Epic Rage.
The Trump administration is trying to classify the renewed military campaign as separate from Operation Epic Fury, the US military’s official name for the Iran conflict.
The change is tied to the War Powers Act of 1973, which requires the president to end military operations within 60 days unless Congress authorizes an extension. The Trump administration has argued that a ceasefire with Iran in April paused the May 1 deadline for the first period of the conflict. The separate death count that began on July 7 follows this interpretation.
The shift emerged earlier this week when the Pentagon’s official online list of those killed in the ongoing Iran war did not include four soldiers killed in renewed fighting over the weekend. However, their names were included in the Pentagon press release announcing Wednesday that their bodies had been officially returned to the United States.
When combined with updated Operation Epic Rage totals, the new Pentagon figures show 18 U.S. troops have been killed and 624 wounded since Feb. 28, when the U.S. began the war against Iran.
Lawmakers from both parties objected to the administration’s interpretation of the War Powers Act timeline.
Republican Assemblyman Thomas Massie of Kentucky responds to updated figures an X postHe writes: “Let me explain this ridiculous game: The Pentagon is acting as if there are two Iran wars separated by a brief ceasefire.
“Fact: Going beyond 90 days without congressional authorization VIOLATES THE LAW and must be held accountable,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
