WASHINGTON — Eight U.S. Marines were injured on September 14 when an Iranian anti-ship cruise missile struck a maritime vessel they were operating on in the Strait of Hormuz, according to three U.S. officials cited by NBC News. The incident was not publicly disclosed by the Pentagon when it occurred.
The Marines were part of a battalion landing team and included seven enlisted personnel and one officer. The officials said they were not aboard a U.S. Navy warship. They declined to identify the vessel, including its type, flag or exact mission, describing it only as a maritime vessel.
Marines suffered smoke inhalation and concussion symptoms
None of the eight Marines suffered serious injuries, according to the officials. They experienced smoke inhalation and symptoms consistent with concussions, including headaches, raising the possibility of traumatic brain injuries.
All eight Marines returned to duty shortly after the September 14 attack.
The incident was not publicly announced by the U.S. Defense Department at the time. U.S. Central Command declined to comment on the NBC News report, while the Defense Department referred questions to CENTCOM.
Injuries added to Pentagon casualty database
The injuries were entered into the Pentagon's Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) nearly 10 days after the missile strike.
According to the NBC News report, the Pentagon's database listed 861 U.S. service members as injured in the conflict as of Wednesday, including the eight Marines from the September 14 incident. A U.S. official said reporting can be delayed because some symptoms, particularly those associated with concussions, may not appear immediately and the database does not update in real time.
Strait of Hormuz remains an area of military activity
The September 14 strike occurred during the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, which has included attacks involving vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces have been supporting the movement of commercial shipping through the southern part of the strait. The waterway is a major route for international energy and trade traffic, making maritime security in the area an important issue for commercial shipping.
The precise location of the vessel when it was struck and the full circumstances surrounding the attack have not been publicly released. Officials also have not identified the vessel or provided additional details about its mission.
No U.S. military response specifically linked to the September 14 missile strike has been publicly reported.
The disclosure of the incident provides additional information about the risks faced by U.S. personnel operating aboard maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing conflict.
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