Pentagon separates four Iran war deaths in casualty database

The Pentagon has moved four U.S. service members killed in Jordan and Iraq in July into a new “Overseas Operations” category, separating their deaths from the official toll for Operation Epic Fury, the Defense Department’s name for the war with Iran.

The Defense Casualty Analysis System, the Pentagon website that informs the public about dead and wounded service members in military conflicts, now lists 14 deaths under Operation Epic Fury and the four more recent deaths under “Overseas Operations Casualties.” The four service members are 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton.

At one point last week, CBS News reported, the four names appeared in the Operation Epic Fury casualty list. By Thursday, they were no longer listed there, and the database showed 14 killed in the war with Iran, rather than 18. The New York Times first reported the missing numbers and cited three sources who said the change was made because the four service members died after the Trump administration had declared a ceasefire in April.

The deaths occurred about a week after President Trump notified Congress by letter that the ceasefire was over and that military action had resumed on July 7, CBS News reported.

Over the weekend, the Pentagon updated the database again, adding more than 140 wounded service members and introducing the new “Overseas Operations” category for personnel killed and wounded “starting July 7,” The Guardian reported. According to the updated figures, Operation Epic Fury now stands at 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action. The database lists 207 wounded under Overseas Operations.

The figures have shifted repeatedly. The Pentagon previously showed 18 deaths and 482 wounded under the Iran war before reducing the Operation Epic Fury totals. As of Sunday, CBS News reported, the site listed 417 service members wounded in the war with Iran, dozens fewer than the 482 it had listed early last week. Combined with the updated Operation Epic Fury totals, The Guardian reported, the new Pentagon figures show 18 U.S. troops killed and 624 wounded since the United States launched its war against Iran on Feb. 28.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said in a statement shared on X that “site errors on the Defense Casualty Analysis System” were caused by “a temporary data disruption” and that “site anomalies are currently being resolved in coordination with the Military Services.” He accused The New York Times of “colluding with anonymous sources to push a completely fake story.”

When the Pentagon first released the names of two of the three service members killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan earlier this month, it initially classified them as deaths under Operation Inherent Resolve, the years-long mission targeting ISIS. The Defense Department later amended the releases to say they died in “overseas operations.”

The Guardian reported that the Trump administration is seeking to classify the renewed military campaign as separate from Operation Epic Fury. The change is tied to the War Powers Act of 1973, which requires the president to end military operations within 60 days unless Congress authorizes an extension. The administration has argued that the April ceasefire paused the clock on May 1 for the conflict’s initial period, and the separate casualty count beginning July 7 follows that interpretation.

Lawmakers from both parties have challenged that interpretation. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, wrote on X: “Let me explain this absurd ruse: The Pentagon is pretending there have been two Iran wars separated by a brief cease-fire.” He added: “The reality: By going more than 90 days without congressional authorization,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “IS BREAKING THE LAW and must be held accountable.”

The Pentagon has not briefed reporters on the Iran war since May, according to CBS News, and defense officials have not commented on the categorization of the four deaths. Parnell confirmed that nearly 100 U.S. service members had been injured since July 7, saying 96% had returned to duty and that the vast majority of injuries “were minor concussions.” He said “further updates will be posted on the Defense Casualty Analysis System.”