US forces have reported over 140 wounded service members due to Iranian drones and missiles, contradicting earlier claims of fewer than a dozen cases. Army Sgt. Benjamin Pennington was among those killed days after being injured in an attack in Saudi Arabia, while six others were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait.
The increase in casualty figures underscores the threat posed by Iranian drones and missiles, which have targeted troops on US bases across the Middle East. Defense officials say shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injuries are likely contributors to the attacks, with many casualties initially reporting minor symptoms that may not be immediately apparent.
While some 500,000 troops have suffered brain injuries since 2000, Pentagon data shows a significant decrease in Iranian ballistic missile attacks (90%) and one-way drone attacks (83%) since the conflict began. However, defense analysts caution that these reductions may not necessarily indicate Iran’s permanent loss of capability to launch drones or other operations.
Critics on Capitol Hill are calling for greater transparency from the Defense Department, saying they “own it and be transparent” about personnel matters. The recent revelation has sparked frustration over the department’s handling of casualty figures in previous incidents, including a 2020 Iranian ballistic missile attack that saw 110 survivors diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/10/us-troops-wounded-iran-war