Smoke inhalation and concussions were reported among US service members following a cruise missile strike against a contracted merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The ship, identified by industry reporting as the St Helena, a former Royal Mail vessel and floating armory owned by security firm Ambrey, was struck on Sept. 14, wounding seven enlisted Marines and one officer. The Pentagon did not publicly disclose the attack when it occurred and referred to the target only as a "maritime vessel," confirming it was not a US Navy warship.

The injuries were added to the Defense Department's casualty database roughly 10 days after the strike as part of an update adding 37 wounded troops, including 29 Navy sailors. This change brings the total Iran war casualty count to 880 wounded or dead. The Trump administration has reclassified over half of these casualties as "Overseas Operations" rather than "Operation Epic Fury" and has not held a public news briefing since May 5.