The Pentagon updated its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) database, introducing a new tracking category called Overseas Operations
to record military personnel killed or wounded starting from July 7, according to [Znews](https://znews.vn/lau-nam-goc-thay-doi-con-so-binh-si-my-thuong-vong-post1672727.html). Under the updated figures, the initial phase of the U.S. military campaign against Iran, known officially as operation “Epic Fury,” records 14 service members killed and over 400 wounded in combat, as reported by [Vietnamnet](https://vietnamnet.vn/lau-nam-goc-bat-ngo-nang-so-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-2539563.html).
Pentagon Updates Casualty Tracking with New Overseas Operations Category
The new Overseas Operations
category accounts for casualties occurring from July 7 onward, logging four service members killed and 207 wounded, according to [Vietnam](https://www.vietnam.vn/du-lieu-lau-nam-goc-cho-thay-hon-200-binh-si-my-bi-thuong-ke-tu-khi-my-noi-lai-giao-tranh-voi-iran-trong-thang-7). Combined with the updated figures for the Epic Fury operation, the revised data shows that 18 U.S. service members have died and 624 have been wounded since Washington launched military operations against Iran on February 28, as detailed by [Vietnamnet](https://vietnamnet.vn/lau-nam-goc-bat-ngo-nang-so-thuong-vong-chon-chien-su-iran-2539563.html).
Congressional Scrutiny and Discrepancies Over Data Changes
The adjustments followed public confusion and criticism after casualty figures on the DCAS website unexpectedly dropped mid-week. On July 23, the system briefly adjusted down the number of U.S. service members killed from 18 to 14 and wounded from 482 to 420, temporarily removing four deaths that occurred in Jordan and Iraq on July 17 and July 18, according to [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html).
The four fatalities—comprising three service members killed in Jordan by an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack, and one killed in northern Iraq while detonating an Iranian drone—were later restored to the system and placed under the Overseas Operations
category, as noted by [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html). Department of Defense officials attributed the fluctuating numbers to temporary data glitches and anomalies on the DCAS website, according to [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html), while Joel Valdez, Acting Press Secretary for the Department of War, cited temporary data disruptions on the website, reported [Znews](https://znews.vn/lau-nam-goc-thay-doi-con-so-binh-si-my-thuong-vong-post1672727.html).
In response to the shifting data, 12 Democratic senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth on July 24 demanding an explanation and a complete accounting of killed and wounded personnel, according to [Báo Thanh Niên](https://thanhnien.vn/lau-nam-goc-ton-that-bao-nhieu-trong-xung-dot-voi-iran-185260727102819175.htm) and [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html).
Legal Rationale and the War Powers Resolution
The July 7 timestamp coincides with the collapse of a ceasefire and the resumption of hostilities following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, leading the administration of President Donald Trump to notify Congress that a new phase of conflict had begun, as reported by [Znews](https://znews.vn/lau-nam-goc-thay-doi-con-so-binh-si-my-thuong-vong-post1672727.html) and [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html).
Under the U.S. War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president is required to terminate military operations within 60 days unless authorized by Congress, according to [Vietnamnet](https://vietnamnet.vn/lau-nam-goc-bat-ngo-nang-so-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-2539563.html) and [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html). The administration argued that an April ceasefire paused the 60-day clock on May 1, classifying the renewed military actions starting July 7 as a separate operation, as detailed by [Vietnamnet](https://vietnamnet.vn/lau-nam-goc-bat-ngo-nang-so-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-2539563.html). Lawmakers expressed concern that resetting the timeline following the ceasefire could allow the administration to bypass the requirement to seek congressional approval for ongoing hostilities, according to [Báo Tuổi Trẻ](https://tuoitre.vn/lau-nam-goc-lai-thay-doi-cach-thong-ke-thuong-vong-trong-chien-su-iran-10026072710235582.html).
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