Pentagon increases United States death toll from Iran war to 21

The United States Department of Defense updated the official death toll for the war in Iran to 21 on Friday. UPI, the Washington Post, and the Hill reported that two noncombatant deaths were added to the Defense Casualty Analysis System, which had previously recorded 19 fatalities. [1][2][5]

The added casualties included Army National Guard Major Sorffly Davius, age 46, who died in Kuwait on March 6, according to the Washington Post, as cited by UPI. UPI also reported that the second newly listed fatality was an unidentified Navy servicemember who died by suicide in September. At least 865 service members have been injured in the war, UPI reported. [1]

The New York Times reported that the Defense Department made the unannounced change to acknowledge troops who died or suffered injuries while serving in support roles. Casualties from the conflict are divided into separate categories for Operation Epic Fury and the subsequent fighting, according to UPI. [1][3]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the United States and Israel have been engaged in a war with Iran since February 28, 2026. The 2026 Iran war has caused thousands of fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries across the Middle East, including in Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestine. [8][12]