Reasons behind rising US military casualties in Iran conflict

The increase in US military casualties in the war with Iran has several reasons. First, the presence of numerous US bases in West Asian countries, especially the Persian Gulf, provides Iran with multiple targets. The United States has dozens of military bases and intelligence centers in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. This geographical dispersion forces the US to divide its defense capabilities, making protection of these assets difficult even with advanced systems.

Second, after defeats in Persian Gulf bases, the Pentagon transferred many soldiers to more distant locations like Jordan and Syria to reduce casualties. However, this did not lower the toll. According to US officials and former President Trump, the US army suffered the most human casualties in Jordan, and deaths at the Tanf garrison in Syria were never announced. The concentration of forces in Jordan has made it a key target. Military experts believe injuries to dozens of personnel and damage to helicopters in Jordan remain hidden from public opinion.

Third, the US military was promised a quick victory, but the prolonged war has strained operational and support forces. Soldier morale has weakened, with some attempting to flee or commit suicide. The longer the war lasts, the greater the crisis. The US needs tens of thousands more troops for continued aggression, and if a ground attack is launched, they would be targets for Iranian forces. Most US bases are within range of Iranian drones and missiles, and even advanced air defense systems cannot intercept all targets.

Fourth, to circumvent the War Powers Act of 1973, which limits military operations to 60 days without congressional authorization, the Trump administration claimed a ceasefire existed and then launched new attacks, treating them as separate operations. This trick has drawn criticism from veterans' rights organizations, with Representative Thomas Massie calling it a "ridiculous trick." Months into the illegal US aggression against Iran, Trump has refused to provide casualty reports, covering up failures by deceiving Congress and distorting public opinion. According to Mehr News Agency, this situation is unlikely to continue, and families of US soldiers may soon learn the tragic fate of their loved ones.