The Pentagon has come under fire from US military veterans for reclassifying casualties in the Iran war as being killed in “overseas operations,” a move seen as disrespectful to the war dead. The change comes as President Donald Trump threatens to resume “strong military action” against Iran if diplomatic efforts do not yield rapid results.
Pentagon reclassifies casualties
The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), a military database, introduced a new casualty category labeled “Overseas Operations” for personnel killed and wounded starting July 7. This splits the count from the beginning of the US-Israel war on Iran into two separate campaigns. Michael E Smith, a retired US rear admiral who served in Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo, said: “It’s such a huge disrespect for the families. To claim that they weren’t killed as a result of the war – oh, it was just overseas operations – is just ludicrous.”
Trump threatens military action
Trump told Axios on Monday: “We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action.” Asked how long he would allow talks to proceed, he answered: “Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all.” The administration justifies the reclassification under the War Powers Act of 1973, arguing that the April ceasefire paused the clock for the initial conflict period.
Other news highlights
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clarified that his comment about putting the head of an “ogre” on a pike referred to Senator John Fetterman, not his opponent. US airman James Loubeau, accused of raping multiple women in England, avoided UK courts after local police handed the case to the US military. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to allow an executive order targeting mail-in voting. Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $5.5 billion to settle talc cancer lawsuits. Andrew and Tristan Tate remain jailed awaiting extradition to the UK. Betye Saar, Black arts pioneer, died at 99. Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino stepped down after logo redesign backlash. Carly Simon revealed she has Parkinson’s disease. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was called to appear before Congress.
