AP: Pentagon reclassifies US casualties from Iran conflict

Four US service members killed during the renewed fighting between the United States and Iran in recent weeks are no longer included in the Pentagon's official casualty count for the war with Iran, having instead been placed in a new, separate category, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

According to AP, the move has raised questions about the accuracy of the US military's casualty reporting as President Donald Trump's administration has intensified strikes against Iran in an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while offering little indication of how it plans to bring the conflict to an end, despite its limited public support.

The Defence Casualty Analysis System (DCAS)—which Pentagon officials have repeatedly cited as the authoritative source for data on military deaths and injuries—removed four fallen service members and dozens of wounded personnel from its Iran war casualty count last week, the report added.

On Sunday, July 26, the system introduced a new category titled "Overseas Operations," listing by name the four deceased service members along with 207 wounded personnel. It remains unclear whether all of the injured were wounded during the conflict with Iran.

US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, referred questions to the Pentagon. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, CNN announced that the Pentagon had updated its casualty figures from the conflict with Iran. According to the broadcaster, 18 US service members have been killed and 624 others wounded since the fighting began.

By Jeyhun Aghazada