Pentagon Quietly Updates US-Iran War Casualties To 838 As Trump Faces Rising Military Costs

The Pentagon has quietly updated the US military casualty count from the Iran conflict to 838, adding 26 wounded service members as President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure over the human, military and economic cost of a war now in its seventh month.

The latest figures show 18 US troops killed and 820 wounded. The wounded include 417 personnel recorded under Operation Epic Fury between February and July and 403 under overseas operations since July 7. The update has renewed scrutiny of a conflict that Trump initially suggested would last only weeks.

The latest military damage came within the past 24 hours. Iranian ballistic missiles struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, severely damaging an A 10 Thunderbolt II, including its wing, while around eight F 15E fighters suffered lighter damage. The F 15s were returned to service, and no US personnel were reported killed. Jordan said its defences intercepted 18 Iranian missiles, while US forces fired more than 30 Patriot interceptors.

The escalation began September 5 with Iranian missiles targeting a US carrier and destroyer, followed by US strikes on 10 Iranian tankers over a week, including one near Kharg Island. Iran claimed attacks on 10 vessels, but CENTCOM said no US warship was hit; Tehran also expanded its maritime restricted zone. Meanwhile, the US has nearly exhausted ATACMS and Precision Strike Missile stocks, with about 50 Joint Staff personnel facing polygraph tests amid a leak probe. Hormuz traffic fell to just seven vessels, with no LNG tanker crossing, as commercial ships reported attacks and Brent crude rose to about $105.

For Americans, the impact is reaching the pump. Gasoline has risen above $4 a gallon and diesel has reached record levels, adding pressure to transport, food, manufacturing and airline costs. The longer the shipping disruption lasts, the greater the inflation risk.

Trump has defended the campaign by saying Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, he warned Tehran over activity at the fortified Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, saying the US could strike if Iran continues and telling Iran “not to get cute.”

At the same time, Trump has suggested the conflict could end after the November midterm elections and accused Iran of trying to influence the vote.

The regional front is widening rapidly. Iran backed Houthis launched another round of ballistic missile and drone attacks on southern Saudi Arabia, targeting areas including Khamis Mushait, Abha and Jazan. Saudi authorities previously said 73 people were wounded, while energy facilities were damaged or temporarily disrupted. A fresh emergency alert was issued in Khamis Mushait on Thursday, the fourth in 24 hours, before Saudi authorities declared the danger had passed.

The Houthis seized Mocha, a strategic Red Sea port. They have since advanced towards the Hanish Islands and closer to Bab el Mandeb, raising the prospect of another major shipping chokepoint being threatened while Hormuz remains severely restricted.