Pentagon raises official US death toll in Iran war

The Pentagon has revised its previously underreported tally of US military deaths linked to the war with Iran, raising the official count to 21.

The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) initially listed 18 US military deaths from hostile and non-hostile causes since the conflict began on February 28. The Washington Post reported last month, citing six US officials, that the database understated the number of deaths. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called the findings “a complete lie.”

On Friday, the database was updated to include Army National Guard Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, who died in Kuwait on March 6, and an unidentified Navy member who died by suicide in September.

It also recorded the death of Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, who died in a training accident in Iraq in May. The military, however, did not link the incident to the war with Iran and classified it under Operation Inherent Resolve, the decade-long campaign against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS). His inclusion brings the broader number of US military fatalities in the Middle East since February 28 to 22, in line with the figure previously reported by the newspaper.

The updated records also show 865 wounded service members.

Democratic Representatives Adam Smith and Chrissy Houlahan criticized the incorrect count, calling it “an embarrassment” for the military.

“There is no excuse for a mistake of this magnitude,” they said in a joint statement.

Approached by the Washington Post, the Pentagon did not address the changes but said it “continues to maintain a steadfast commitment to the transparent, accurate accounting of all service member casualties.”

Last month, the US Navy acknowledged that eight sailors assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during a ten-month deployment that included the Iran war. The disclosure followed reports of burnout, declining morale, and shortages of food and basic supplies.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s insistence that the campaign has been a success, a Reuters/Ipsos poll in September found that 62% of Americans disapprove of military strikes against Iran.

The conflict has also deepened political divisions ahead of November’s midterm election, with the financial cost and economic fallout drawing scrutiny. US Central Command estimated the bill at $43.6 billion through September 3, according to figures provided to lawmakers and seen by AP.

Trump previously said the war would end immediately after the election, subsequently telling Axios that he faces a “big decision” over whether to resume major attacks to bring it to a close.

In a phone call on Friday, Trump discussed Iran with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who stressed that a diplomatic settlement remains possible and reiterated Moscow’s offer to accept Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to help resolve the dispute over its nuclear program. Trump welcomed Russia’s diplomatic involvement, according to presidential aide Yury Ushakov.