The Pentagon said Tuesday that about 140 U.S. service members have been wounded since the war with Iran began 10 days ago.
This marks the first official tally of service members wounded during Operation Epic Fury.
“The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. “Eight service members remain listed as severely injured and are receiving the highest level of medical care.”
The update comes on the heels of the U.S. Central Command announcing a seventh U.S. service member died from serious injuries following an Iranian retaliatory attack on U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia.
Six others were killed during an Iranian drone strike at a U.S. command center in Kuwait. President Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday to honor their final return home.
He previously said casualties are anticipated during conflict: “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
When asked about a Reuters report stating that roughly 150 service members have been injured, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that is “within that ballpark.”
The announcement comes as the Trump administration offers different takes on the status of the war.
