Hidden Pentagon records reveal 70 US casualties in one day

Previously undisclosed Pentagon records have revealed that 70 American service personnel were wounded in a single day during President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran, raising fresh questions over casualty reporting and congressional oversight.

The documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, suggest the scale of US losses was significantly greater than previously disclosed during the opening weeks of the conflict.

Previously Undisclosed Toll Emerges

The records, obtained by The War Horse, cover the first six weeks of the conflict between February 28 and April 8. They detail more than 400 casualties, including the rank, military branch, injury type and date each service member was wounded.

Head injuries accounted for at least 170 cases, making them the most common wound recorded. Troops also suffered shrapnel injuries, fractures and smoke inhalation, while Army personnel made up the majority of those hurt, including a substantial number of reservists.

The data shows March 18 was the deadliest single day for casualties, with 70 troops wounded. More than two dozen of those injuries were reportedly attributed to enemy action, but the Pentagon did not publicly announce the figure.

Database Shake-Up Sparks Scrutiny

The disclosure comes after the Pentagon updated its Defence Casualty Analysis System, increasing the total number of US personnel killed or wounded since February to 624—more than 200 higher than figures released only days earlier.

According to reports, officials had previously removed four soldiers killed in July and 65 injured personnel from the public tally before revising the database, fuelling questions over how casualty figures were being recorded.

War Powers Questions Intensify

The reporting has also reignited debate over whether the administration complied with the War Powers Act, which limits military operations without congressional approval.

According to the Washington Examiner, the Pentagon divided the campaign into two separate operations, with Operation Epic Fury ending on July 7 and a second mission beginning immediately afterwards. Critics argue the move effectively reset the legal clock governing congressional authorisation.

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie accused Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth of sidestepping the law, while military analyst Alex Plitsas said the separation made it appear the conflict had not continued beyond the 60-day threshold.

The Pentagon has not publicly addressed the allegations surrounding its casualty reporting or the restructuring of the conflict's official records.

Hidden Pentagon data reveals 70 US casualties in a single day of Trump's Iran war