The Pentagon has established a new category in its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) to account for individuals affected by recent U.S.-Iran encounters. Dubbed ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ this military initiative against Tehran has officially concluded. Consequently, the casualties from the latest skirmishes have been moved into a new classification termed ‘Overseas Operations,’ separate from the Iran war figures.
As of now, the record shows 642 troops wounded, combining those listed under ‘Operation Epic Fury’ and the new category. A Pentagon source, speaking anonymously, confirmed this categorization shift but did not specify when the operation formally ended.
This new classification invites scrutiny of the impact on U.S. service members following two weeks of uninterrupted military engagements aimed at gaining control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s retaliation involved strikes on countries in the Middle East hosting U.S. forces. Although hostilities temporarily halted with mediation efforts initiated, tensions resumed when Iran attacked vessels in the critical maritime corridor.
U.S. Central Command reported intercepting several ballistic missiles aimed at American personnel in the area. Despite the U.S. and Iran agreeing to a ceasefire in April and sealing an interim agreement in mid-June, renewed confrontations have ensued.
President Donald Trump, alongside other officials, showed respect as the remains of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, were transported on July 22, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base. The Pentagon explained last week the removal of the latest fatalities from Iran war records as resolving ‘anomalies’ and ‘temporary data disruptions,’ rather than concealing the conflict’s toll.
In the ‘Overseas Operations’ category, the deceased soldiers were now listed as of Sunday. These casualties resulted from an Iranian attack on a Jordanian base on July 17 and another incident in Iraq involving an Iranian drone the following day.
By May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had asserted the completion of ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ claiming objectives were achieved. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refrained from declaring the Iran war’s end during his congressional appearance last week, where he shared cost estimates of the conflict running through September 30.
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