Personnel recovering from a cruise missile strike on a naval vessel in the Strait of Hormuz two weeks ago suffered smoke inhalation and potential traumatic brain injuries, three US officials told NBC. The eight US Marines affected were not seriously hurt during the attack, which took place while the military was escorting ships to ensure safe passage through the shipping lane. This event provides the first specific explanation for a recent group of injuries added to the Department of Defense’s public records.

The missile strike accounts for part of a 37 person increase in the official tally of troops wounded during the conflict with Iran, which now totals 861. The expanded registry, first reported by the Washington Post, also includes 29 Navy sailors and was added to the Pentagon's database this week without an accompanying briefing. The Trump administration has since reclassified over half of all personnel losses as "Overseas Operations" rather than "Operation Epic Fury" following the collapse of a July ceasefire.