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The Pentagon reclassified Iran war casualties into a new 'Overseas Operations' category to reflect the administration's view of a new conflict.

The Department of Defense updated the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) to include a new category labeled "Overseas Operations" for personnel killed and wounded starting July 7. This move separates the casualties from the initial phase of the Iran war, which began on February 28. The administration announced that the July 7 date marks the start of a new conflict, allowing the president to restart the 60-day clock required by the War Powers Act of 1973. By creating this separate category, the Pentagon effectively removed four service members killed in recent Iranian strikes from the original war tally. The four fallen soldiers are 1st Lt Tyler James Feehan, Pvt Isabella Gonzales, Pvt Isabella Gonzales, Sgt Angel S. Rampersad, and Sgt Michael Emmanuel Swinton. The administration argued that the April ceasefire paused the clock, and the July 7 escalation serves as a new period of hostilities. While some critics, including Republican House member Thomas Massie, called the move an "absurd ruse," the Pentagon defended the change as a resolution to "temporary data disruptions" on the website.

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