The figure, which had not previously been publicly disclosed in full, emerged roughly 10 days after hostilities began following a U.S.-led military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure and strategic capabilities. Officials later said the Pentagon’s current confirmed figure is around 140 injured personnel, with most suffering minor wounds.

Majority of injuries reported as minor

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 108 of the wounded troops have already returned to duty, suggesting that a significant share of the injuries were relatively minor, including concussions or other non-life-threatening battlefield injuries. However, eight service members are classified as severely injured and are receiving specialized medical treatment.

U.S. officials have not yet provided detailed information about the nature of many injuries, including whether they involve blast-related traumatic brain injuries, which have historically been common in missile and drone attacks on military bases.

Conflict began with U.S. strikes on Iran

The war began on February 28, when the United States and its allies launched large-scale strikes against Iranian nuclear, missile and naval facilities as part of a broader military operation aimed at weakening Tehran’s strategic capabilities.

Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities across the region, including installations in Gulf states hosting American troops. Several attacks also targeted critical infrastructure such as airports, oil facilities and diplomatic sites.

U.S. military leaders say Iran’s response has been fierce but within expected limits, with American forces continuing airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers, weapons depots and naval assets.

Fatalities and regional impact

The war has also resulted in U.S. fatalities, with at least several American service members killed in early strikes on bases in the Gulf region, according to defense officials.

Across the wider Middle East, casualties have mounted significantly. Iranian authorities and international monitors report over 1,200 people killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, while hundreds more have died in related strikes in neighboring countries.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional instability, with shipping routes, energy infrastructure and financial markets affected by the fighting and the threat of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Outlook and military strategy

Senior U.S. military officials say the campaign against Iran is ongoing, with additional airstrikes and naval operations planned to degrade Iran’s military capacity. Washington maintains that the objective is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and limit its ability to threaten regional allies.

While some U.S. leaders have suggested the conflict could end sooner than expected if Iranian capabilities continue to weaken, analysts warn that the situation remains volatile and could expand if regional actors or proxy groups become more deeply involved.

As the war enters its second week, the rising number of wounded U.S. troops underscores the escalating risks of a broader regional confrontation and the potential for prolonged military engagement in the Middle East.

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Hegseth, briefing reporters at the Pentagon, said U.S. forces located and killed the Iranian target on Tuesday. “The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed,” he said, adding that “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.”

The Pentagon chief stressed that eliminating the plot leader was not the initial focus of the broader military campaign against Iran but was added to the U.S. target list as operations expanded. He did not disclose the name of the Iranian official.

Background: Alleged Plot and Charges

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged an Iranian individual in connection with an alleged plot ordered by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate Trump then president‑elect as retaliation for the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. Tehran has repeatedly denied that it ordered any plot against Trump or other U.S. officials.

The alleged plot emerged in federal criminal filings, and U.S. authorities said they believed Iranian operatives sought to recruit others to carry out attacks on American soil.

Ties to Broader Conflict

The announcement comes amid an escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran following recent military operations targeting Iranian military capabilities. The tensions have already seen U.S. and allied strikes deep into Iranian territory and heightened military engagements in the Middle East.

Defense officials said the broader campaign is aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to strike U.S. forces and partners in the region. The killing of the Iranian official linked to the alleged assassination plot underscores how the conflict has drawn in historical grievances, intelligence threats and long‑standing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Reaction and Denials

Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the killing of the plot leader and continue to deny involvement in assassination efforts against U.S. leaders. Tehran has called U.S. and allied strikes violations of its sovereignty and has vowed to respond to military attacks on its territory.

Analysts say the incident may fuel further tensions and complicate diplomatic efforts to de‑escalate the conflict.

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