Death Toll from US Strikes on Iran Rises to 38

The number of casualties from the series of United States (US) air strikes on Iranian territory continues to rise. As of Friday (17/7/2026), Iranian health authorities confirmed that the death toll had reached 38, whilst hundreds of others were injured.

Iranian Ministry of Health spokesman Hossein Kermanpour revealed that the latest data, compiled up to 06.30 local time, showed a significant escalation in casualties. “The number of people injured in the US attacks has exceeded 400, whilst 38 of our citizens have been killed,” Kermanpour said in an official statement on the X platform.

In his report, Kermanpour detailed that the dead included vulnerable groups, among them three women and one child under the age of 18. In addition, 22 women and nine children were recorded as having been wounded in the attacks.

The figures mark an increase from the report on Wednesday (15/7), when Iranian authorities had previously recorded 35 deaths and around 300 injured. The wave of US strikes has reportedly been under way since 8 July as part of the latest military operation in the region.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the military operation was a direct response to Iranian actions deemed to be disrupting international commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US asserted that the strikes were intended to secure global energy trade routes.

Tehran, for its part, did not remain idle. In retaliation for the US air strikes, Iran launched counter-attacks targeting a number of US military bases across several neighbouring countries.

A US fighter jet made an emergency landing at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, having reportedly been hit by fire whilst attacking southern Iran.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday (16/7) that it had completed the latest wave of offensive operations against Iran.

US President Donald Trump said the strikes were retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.