A megaton scandal and serious questions regarding US credibility are raised by revelations about the true picture of the war in the Middle East. Behind the official line of silence, the Pentagon attempts to downplay — if not fully conceal — a series of consecutive, lethal Iranian strikes against American forces, hiding from the public dozens of wounded and extensive damage to American bases. At a time when military leadership cites "operational security," the leaking truth strips away the US narrative, revealing that Tehran not only keeps its missile arsenal intact, but manages to inflict critical strikes where US defenses were supposed to be impenetrable.
The big lie of the US
In the week preceding the Iranian attack on Friday (17/7/2026), which killed two American soldiers and left one missing in Jordan, Iran carried out three more attacks against American forces in the country. As US officials reveal speaking to The New York Times, these attacks wounded dozens of American soldiers and damaged several helicopters. However, the Pentagon did not disclose the previous attacks, nor the casualty numbers and damages they caused. The incident represents the most recent example during the conflict with Iran of the tension between what the Pentagon calls a need for operational security and the government's obligation to inform the public about the progress of the war.
They never reported the attacks from Iran
In statements following airstrikes against Iranian military facilities last week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that it was responding to Iran's attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without ever mentioning Iran's attacks on bases in the region, including the one in Jordan. Central Command is not obligated to release information regarding injured troops, especially when they return quickly to duty, stated a US military official. Furthermore, another US military official added: Why should the Pentagon reveal information that could help Iran target more accurately with its lethal ballistic missiles and drones in Jordan and other bases across the Middle East, where thousands of American troops are stationed? Central Command has also stopped announcing how many sites in Iran it strikes daily for the same reason, according to US officials.
In early May, the last update
In the days passing since the collapse of a fragile truce, the Pentagon has provided minimal information regarding US military strategy after nearly five months of war. The last major Pentagon update on the war took place in early May. In recent months, the Trump administration has not disclosed how the war with Iran has depleted US stockpiles of critical and expensive weapons, nor how Iran maintained and reorganized significant missile capabilities.
US casualties
The issue of American casualties in the war is equally sensitive. The deaths of two soldiers on Friday bring to 16 the total number of US military personnel killed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. The Pentagon's casualty reporting protocols mandate the release of deceased soldiers' details only after 24 hours have passed since notifying their next of kin. The names of those wounded in action are usually not released to the public.
In a statement on Saturday (18/7/2026), Central Command mentioned that four American soldiers injured in Friday's attack were transported to hospitals in Jordan and discharged. More American troops suffered light injuries and returned to duty, the statement said, without specifying how many. Furthermore, the announcement made no reference to the soldiers injured in the three previous attacks in Jordan last week.
In a brief phone conversation with NewsNation, President Trump stated that the soldiers died "serving our country" and reiterated the primary goal of the war, which is "never to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon." For his part, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on social media Saturday that the loss of the two American soldiers will strengthen American resolve. More than 400 American troops have been wounded in the conflict with Iran, according to Central Command. The Pentagon periodically reported the total number of injured soldiers who returned to duty since the start of the war, but in recent weeks it has stopped updating this overall count. Under previous administrations, the Pentagon typically delayed providing details about wounded soldiers until family notifications were completed. During the Biden administration, the Pentagon routinely reported the number of troops injured in attacks by Iranian-backed militias on US bases in Syria and Iraq.
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