US-Iran war escalates: Nearly 100 American troops injured since July 7 conflict, Pentagon confirms

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on X that while around 100 service members had sustained injuries, the overwhelming majority had already resumed active duty.

"While nearly 100 service members were deemed to have some degree of injury since July 7, 2026, 96% have returned to duty. They are determined to get back in the fight," Parnell wrote.

He added that most of the injuries were minor concussions.

"The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions. Further updates will be posted on the Defense Casualty Analysis System," he said.

US launches tenth straight night of strikes

Meanwhile, the US military carried out its tenth consecutive night of attacks on Iran, targeting military infrastructure across the country.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck Iranian military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems in an effort to degrade Tehran's ability to attack commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue," CENTCOM said in a statement.

According to CENTCOM, US forces have helped facilitate the safe passage of approximately 900 commercial vessels carrying nearly 450 million barrels of crude oil through the strategic waterway since early May.

"American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait," the command added.

UN urges immediate de-escalation

As the United States and Iran exchanged deadly attacks for a second consecutive week, the United Nations renewed its call for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities, warning of the growing humanitarian impact across the Middle East.

"We are indeed concerned by a resurgence of hostilities and renewed escalation across much of the region," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday in New York.

"Immediate de-escalation is essential," he stressed.

Dujarric said the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and water facilities, must remain a priority.

"All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution," he said.

Civilian toll mounts in Iran

The renewed hostilities have also dimmed hopes for lasting peace following the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June, which had raised expectations of ending months of fighting that began in February.

Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), said civilians across the Middle East were once again living under the constant threat of airstrikes.

"Across the Middle East, civilians are once again living with the fear and uncertainty of repeated strikes, and health systems are being forced to manage the consequences," she said.

Iranian health authorities have reported that at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured this month, with women and children among the casualties.

Dr Balkhy also highlighted damage to critical civilian infrastructure, including a reported strike on a water desalination plant in Hormozgan province that disrupted safe drinking water supplies for thousands of residents.

She added that explosions near Baqaei Reference Hospital last week forced the precautionary evacuation of children receiving specialised cancer treatment.

IAEA assessing reported strike on nuclear facility

Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was assessing reports of an overnight attack on Iran's Darkhovin nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction.

The UN nuclear watchdog said the facility was still in the early stages of construction and contained no nuclear material during its last inspection.

Although the reported attack is not believed to pose any radiological risk, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi urged all parties to exercise maximum military restraint around nuclear-related facilities.