‘Shameful’: Pentagon accused of cover-up over US military casualties in Iran war

Key Points:

• Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta criticized the Pentagon for withholding information on US casualties in the Iran war, calling it a "shameful approach" and accusing officials of a cover-up ahead of the midterm elections.
• The Pentagon has not held a press briefing for over two months and initially failed to disclose the number of injured troops, with reports indicating 18 US deaths and roughly 430 injuries since the conflict began.
• Since January 2025, the Pentagon has restricted press access, favoring pro-Trump media outlets and imposing strict controls on journalists, leading to significant concerns about transparency and press freedom.
• Critics argue the administration is concealing the full human cost of the war to avoid political fallout, as the conflict remains unpopular amid rising domestic economic pressures and unclear military objectives.
• Despite Pentagon denials, ongoing media investigations and expert commentary suggest the truth about casualties and the war's progress will eventually emerge, challenging the current information blackout.