WASHINGTON — The Pentagon increased its official count of U.S. troops wounded during military operations against Iran by 37 without announcing the change or explaining why.
The revision added 29 Navy sailors and eight Marines to the tally. The Defense Department has not disclosed when the injuries occurred, how they were initially missed from the public record, or why the update was not announced.
The quiet adjustment immediately triggered scrutiny from Capitol Hill. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called for the Pentagon to explain the discrepancy at the next congressional briefing. Senate Armed Services Committee members from both parties are expected to seek similar answers.
The revision raises questions about the Pentagon's casualty-tracking systems and whether other injuries from the region remain uncounted. Military families and veterans groups rely on official figures to understand the scope of sacrifices, and medical planners use casualty data to allocate resources for rehabilitation and long-term care.
The Defense Department has not responded to requests for comment on when it will provide a formal explanation.
