A news report published on Friday, September 18, 2026, said more U.S. troops have died during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed. The report, citing five unidentified officials, said there had been at least 22 military fatalities, four more than were listed in the data available on the Pentagon’s public database. It also reported, citing another unidentified official, that not all of the undisclosed deaths were directly tied to the months-long conflict but involved U.S. personnel who were in West Asia amid ongoing hostilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied the report in a post on X, calling it "a complete LIE." The news outlet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.