- A Washington Post report claims at least 22 U.S. military personnel have died during the US-Israeli war with Iran , four more than official Pentagon records show.
- According to officials cited in the report, some undisclosed fatalities involved US troops in the Middle East during active hostilities, even if not directly tied to combat.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly denied the allegations, calling the news report a complete lie on X.
- “This is DISGUSTING and FAKE. A complete LIE. Shame on the Washington Post — they’re worse than Iranian state media,” Hegseth posted online.
- The Pentagon declined to address the casualty accounting discrepancy prior to publication, while the Washington Post did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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