<p>As ceasefire negotiations faltered and U.S. casualties in the Iran conflict increased, the Trump administration on July 7 announced the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury.</p>
<p>Since that announcement, more U.S. military personnel have been injured and killed than during the 18 weeks of Epic Fury. According to the official Pentagon count, of the 880 U.S. troops left wounded or dead, 444 occurred after July 7.</p>
<p>In September alone, nearly 100 U.S. troops have been reported wounded or dead, including 29 Navy sailors and eight Marines added to the official tally last week. This follows claims by an Iranian official that an attack with a new anti-ship missile had significantly impacted U.S. forces.</p>
<p>The Marines were reportedly injured in a cruise missile attack on September 14 while aboard an unidentified vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially suffering brain trauma among other injuries. The attack was first reported by NBC News.</p>
<p>A cargo ship was also struck by a projectile on the same day in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations organization. Officials did not confirm whether Marines were stationed on commercial vessels in the area.</p>
<p>The Navy did not respond to inquiries about the circumstances of the sailors' injuries, stating that casualties had been validated but not disclosing the affected units.</p>
<p>This recent spike in casualties occurs as further details about the toll of Iranian attacks on U.S. troops are revealed. Air Force personnel reported over 1,200 alerts for imminent attacks during a 38-day period earlier this year, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. He noted that these Iranian strikes resulted in over 420 incidents requiring explosive ordnance disposal technicians.</p>
<p>President Trump has referred to the conflict with Iran as “small potatoes,” while Vice President JD Vance stated it is not a “war,” and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described it as primarily an economic issue.</p>
<p>According to the Pentagon, at least 19 personnel have died, including 11 from hostile fire. The actual number of troop deaths in the region since the war began is believed to be higher. The latest known fatality is Capt. Bianca Wilkerson, who died on September 18 from a coronary issue after returning from Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>For nearly six months, The Intercept has reported discrepancies in official casualty counts provided by the Defense Casualty Analysis System, which tracks service members who are deceased, wounded, ill, or injured. In April, for example, the number of wounded-in-action troops declined without public acknowledgment from the War Department. The Pentagon has not commented on these discrepancies.</p>
<p>Prior reports indicated that the Pentagon's official tally of dead and wounded personnel is likely a significant undercount, with some officials suggesting a “casualty cover-up.”</p>
<p>The Pentagon's list of deceased personnel is missing names, including that of Maj. Sorffly Davius, who died while on duty in Kuwait. The military has stated he was part of another mission, but a recent National Guard news release indicated he was conducting operations when he died.</p>
<p>The eight Marines added to the casualty count last week appeared in the tally nearly 10 days after the September 14 attack, which is unusual based on historical reporting practices.</p>
<p>Iran's military capabilities, including the use of drones and ballistic missiles, have reportedly overwhelmed U.S. air defenses in the region. Despite claims by U.S. officials that Iran's military was significantly weakened, Iran has attacked multiple U.S. bases across the Middle East, damaging facilities in several countries.</p>
<p>An Iranian missile and drone attack on February 28 destroyed Navy facilities in Bahrain, a key U.S. military logistics hub. Initially, the Pentagon claimed the strikes did not significantly impact military operations, but recent statements from Navy officials acknowledged the extent of the damage.</p>