NBC News reported that eight US Marines were injured two weeks ago when an Iranian missile struck a ship they were operating on in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Dave DeCamp at Antiwar.com, who cited NBC’s account based on unnamed US officials. The reported strike occurred on September 14.
Per that NBC report as summarized by Antiwar.com, the Marines suffered smoke inhalation and possible concussions consistent with traumatic brain injuries. They were said to have returned to duty soon after.
A strike on a ship Washington won’t identify
According to Antiwar.com’s summary of NBC’s reporting, the officials said the Marines were not on a US Navy ship. They did not specify the type of vessel, describing it only in general terms and declining further detail.
Antiwar.com noted there has been speculation that US military personnel may be traveling aboard commercial vessels the US is helping guide out of the strait. That speculation is unconfirmed in the material provided.
Was a Navy ship also hit?
Antiwar.com pointed to what it described as signs that a US Navy ship may also have been struck this month, noting that the Pentagon added 29 injured Navy sailors to its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) database. That potential link to a ship strike is the outlet’s inference; the Pentagon’s specific explanation for those injuries is not included in the provided material.
Casualty reporting under scrutiny
Antiwar.com asserted that the Pentagon has downplayed casualties during the conflict and, citing The Washington Post, said the Pentagon has not reported all US military deaths in the region since the fighting began. According to the Pentagon’s official figures quoted by Antiwar.com, at least 19 US troops have been killed by Iranian attacks or other causes during the war, and 861 have been wounded. The Washington Post’s reporting, as relayed by Antiwar.com, put the number of US service-member deaths at up to 23 (not all directly tied to the conflict) and said three civilian contractors have also died.
What remains unknown
- The identity and exact type of the ship on which the Marines were operating.
- Whether any US Navy ship was struck this month.
- Whether US personnel have been riding aboard commercial vessels in or near the strait.
- Official, on-the-record confirmation of the NBC account from named US authorities.
This article is based solely on the facts contained in Antiwar.com’s write-up of NBC News reporting and its references to The Washington Post and the Pentagon’s DCAS database.
