Is Pentagon hiding actual count of US troops killed in Iran war? Pete Hegseth calls WaPo report ‘a complete lie’
After an explosive report by the Washington Post claimed that the Pentagon did not disclose the actual number of US troops killed in the Iran war, Secretary of War and the agency's boss, Pete Hegseth, has responded.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on September 18. (REUTERS)On Friday, WaPo reported that contrary to the Pentagon's official number of 18 US soldiers dead in the Iran war, four more have died, taking the actual death toll to 22. The report cited five anonymous officials in the US Army who claimed that the number of deaths was underreported.
Additionally, there is a caveat to the number that the anonymous officials have claimed. WaPo stated that some of the undisclosed deaths were not directly linked to the conflict in Iran, but involved US Army personnel deployed in the Middle East.
But Pete Hegseth has denied the claims, calling them a "complete lie."
The Washington Post report notes that of the 18 deaths, 14 are related to the Iran war and four are displayed in a category called Overseas Operations around the time of the failed ceasefire between US and Iran in July. Additionally, two separate deaths are shown under missions unrelated to the Iran war, even though their deaths took place at US bases in the Middle East that were attacked by Iran over the course of the war.
The report then goes on to name two US troops' deaths in the Middle East and raises questions around the circumstances of the deaths, especially whether it involved an Iranian attack.
The first of the two is Sgt. Devin Seibel, who died in Irbil, Iraq, on May 31. The US Department of Defense had stated then that Seibel died in Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS militants. The second is Maj. Sorffly Davius, who died from an unspecified medical emergency in Kuwait on March 6.
Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, lashed out at the report by The Washington Post. Sharing it on his X account, the former Fox News anchor called it "disgusting" and fake.
"This is DISGUSTING and FAKE. A complete LIE. Shame on the Washington Post — they’re worse than Iranian state media," Hegseth wrote.
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More
