At least 22 U.S. service members have died in the Middle East since the Iran war began Feb. 28, four more than the Pentagon's public tally, amid mounting military and economic costs.

Costs Mount as Hormuz Risk Lingers

The Defense Department's public database lists 18 fatalities, but six U.S. officials familiar with internal casualty data said the true toll is higher, The Washington Post reported. Three U.S. contractors have also died since combat operations started.

U.S. Central Command estimates the conflict has cost $43.6 billion through early September. This consists of $28 billion in munitions but does not include the damage to U.S. bases, according to a document reviewed by the Post. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil and fertilizer shipments, pressuring global crude benchmarks. The war has also put pressure on U.S. stockpiles of precision weapons, while more than 820 troops have been wounded in action.

Political Overhang Could Shape Defense Spending

Responding to the news on X, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote that the Trump administration "is covering up the truth about the number of U.S. troops killed," calling it "a betrayal of American service members and their families."

Earlier this week, Rep. Thomas Massie moved to force an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Senate Democrats have pledged investigations if they win the majority in November's midterms.