The Pentagon never told Americans that an Iranian missile had hit a vessel carrying U.S. Marines, and eight of them were hurt. The only official record was a quiet entry in the military’s casualty database, and the public learned the rest when three U.S. officials described the strike to reporters.
Story Highlights
- An Iranian cruise missile struck a vessel carrying Marines in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, September 14; the attack became public Sunday night, September 27.
- Eight Marines, seven enlisted and one officer, suffered smoke inhalation and concussion symptoms; all returned to duty.
- The Pentagon never announced the strike. The injuries showed up only in its casualty database, about 10 days later.
- The vessel was not a U.S. Navy ship, and officials have not named it.
What Happened on September 14
The Pentagon has not said why it kept the strike quiet. A U.S. official told reporters the Pentagon often lags in listing troops’ injuries because symptoms are not always reported right away and the casualty system does not update in real time. Asked about the attack, the Pentagon referred inquiries to Central Command. Central Command posted videos and photos on September 14 and 15 but made no mention of the missile.
Here is what the officials described. An Iranian anti-ship cruise missile hit a vessel operating in the Strait of Hormuz. The Marines on board were part of a battalion landing team. Eight of them were hurt: seven enlisted Marines and one officer. The vessel was not a U.S. Navy ship. Officials called it only a maritime vessel and did not give its name, owner or mission.
Injury Details and Unit Status
The Marines suffered smoke inhalation and concussion symptoms, including headaches. Officials said those symptoms point to possible traumatic brain injuries. None of the eight were listed as seriously hurt. All of them went back to duty soon after the strike.
The eight Marines were added to the Defense Casualty Analysis System nearly 10 days after the attack. There was no press release and no briefing. The Defense Department did not disclose any September 14 attack on U.S. forces in the region. The entry sat in the database until the story broke Sunday night, September 27.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Remains a Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that carries a large share of the world’s oil. During the 1980s “Tanker War,” Iran and Iraq used anti-ship cruise missiles in more than half of all attacks on shipping. Cruise missiles let a country raise the pressure on a rival without a full declaration of war. The United States and Iran have been at war in the region for months, and ships in the strait have come under fire.
Attacks at this chokepoint reach far beyond the Gulf. Prices for fuel, insurance and shipping can jump when tankers face threats, and that hits family budgets at home. The strike on the Marines came before Iran offered to reopen the strait and restart nuclear talks, an offer the administration turned down. Americans weighing that decision did not know Iran had already fired on Marines.
Transparency, Security, and Public Trust
This is not the first time the Pentagon’s casualty numbers have drawn fire. A recent report found that at least four service members killed since the war began were left out of official counts. The Pentagon rejects claims that it plays down how badly troops are hurt. Military leaders do weigh security against the public’s right to know. But a missile hitting Marines is not a small detail.
The record is clear on the basics. Eight Marines were hurt by an Iranian missile. They went back to work. The vessel has not been named. The Pentagon did not announce the attack, and the public found out nearly two weeks later from officials speaking to reporters. Voters can judge for themselves what that says about who decides what they are told.
Sources:
jpost.com, nbcnews.com, presstv.co.uk, mediaite.com, en.royanews.tv
