US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected a Washington Post report claiming that more American service members have died during the Iran war than the Pentagon has publicly reported.
The Washington Post, citing six US officials familiar with the Defence Department’s internal casualty data, reported on September 18 that at least 22 US military personnel had died since the conflict began on February 28. That figure is four higher than the 18 fatalities currently listed in the Pentagon’s public Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS).
Hegseth disputed the report in a post on X, calling it “DISGUSTING and FAKE” and “a complete LIE”. He also criticised the newspaper, writing: “Shame on the [Washington Post] — they’re worse than Iranian state media.”
Washington Post Reports Higher US Military Death Toll
Five of the officials cited by the Washington Post said at least 22 US service members had died. A sixth official put the figure at 23.
However, the report noted that not all of the additional deaths were necessarily caused directly by combat. According to the official cited by the newspaper, some involved US personnel who were deployed in the Middle East while hostilities were continuing.
The Washington Post also reported that three US contractors based in the region had died since combat operations began.
Meanwhile, details about the alleged additional military deaths, including the identities of the personnel and the circumstances of their deaths, remain unclear. The Pentagon declined to address the newspaper’s questions about the reported discrepancy.
Pentagon Database Lists 18 Military Fatalities
The Pentagon’s public casualty database currently lists 18 US military deaths connected to the period since the Iran conflict began. The database includes both hostile and non-hostile deaths.
The Washington Post reported that 14 of those fatalities are listed under Operation Epic Fury, the administration’s designation for the Iran war. Four others appear under a separate Overseas Operations category.
The newspaper also reported that two other US service members have died in the Middle East since February during missions unrelated to the Iran war. Their deaths occurred at bases that have also faced Iranian attacks, although their deaths are not listed by name in the relevant DCAS tally.
Iran War Cost Reaches $43.6 Billion
The casualty dispute comes as the financial cost of the conflict continues to rise.
The US military estimates that the Iran war cost $43.6 billion through September 3, according to the latest assessment from US Central Command provided to lawmakers. The figure is $5.6 billion higher than the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate through August 1.
Weapons account for a major share of the increase. US Central Command estimated that ammunition and other munitions costs had reached $28.1 billion, compared with $21.7 billion in the earlier CBO assessment.
The CBO has also estimated that the conflict could add around $3 billion per month, depending on the intensity of military operations.
US Bases Face Damage and Weapons Shortages
Meanwhile, Iranian attacks have caused extensive damage to US military facilities across the Middle East. A Pentagon inspector general report cited by the Associated Press said hundreds of buildings and other structures at American bases in several countries had been damaged or destroyed.
The conflict has also placed pressure on US stocks of missile interceptors. Patriot and THAAD systems have used large quantities of expensive defensive missiles, while US and NATO officials have warned of severe shortages.
As of September 19, the Pentagon’s public casualty database continues to show 18 military fatalities, while the Washington Post’s cited officials put the number at 22 or 23. Hegseth has rejected the higher figures, leaving the discrepancy unresolved publicly.