More than 600 US troops have been wounded since the Iran war began in February this year, according to newly released Defense Department figures reported on July 28. The updated tally puts the number of injured US service members at 624 and the number killed at 18.

The Pentagon introduced a new reporting system last Sunday to record casualties, dividing the overall total into “Operation Epic Fury” and “Overseas Operations.” The change has prompted allegations of opacity and concealment of information. Democratic senators criticized the separation of deaths and injuries, while former US forces commander in Europe Lieutenant General Ben Hodges questioned the integrity of the official count. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie called the division a “ridiculous trick.”

Since July 7, 207 US military personnel have been injured, including 182 service members, the figures show. Officials said at least 96 percent of personnel injured after that date had recovered and returned to duty. Administration officials described the controversy as a temporary information-related disruption and said they were working to address the procedural problem. US forces have also paused military strikes in Iran for the past three days amid concern over shortages of weapons and ammunition.