US raises hostile engagement allowance to $450 per month amid ongoing conflict with Iran

The Washington Post reported on the 1st (local time) that the U.S. government has increased hazard pay for soldiers deployed to combat zones as the armed conflict with Iran continues.

Sean Parnell, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense, announced in a social media post that the Hostile Fire Pay, which is paid to soldiers who are directly attacked by the enemy, will be increased to a maximum of $450 (approximately 613,000 won) per month starting this month.

Personal hazard allowances for soldiers serving in conflict areas will also rise to a maximum of $275 (about 374,000 won) per month. Previously, the maximum amount for both allowances was $225 (about 306,000 won) per month.

This announcement comes as the U.S. Donald Trump administration does not define the conflict with Iran as an official war.

Although President Trump claims that the conflict with Iran is not a major problem, casualties among U.S. troops are occurring as intermittent clashes continue in the Middle East.

The U.S. Department of Defense said that 19 U.S. soldiers have been killed and more than 860 injured since the conflict with Iran began on February 28.

The Washington Post, citing a U.S. government official, reported that at least 22 U.S. soldiers died and said that some of the deaths may have been caused by causes unrelated to the battle.