A fourth American service member has died from wounds sustained in an attack the US has attributed to Iran, military officials confirmed Tuesday. The soldier, a resident of New York City, was the latest fatality from the incident that had already claimed three other US troops.
The latest casualty
The service member was identified as a New York City resident. The Department of Defense did not immediately release the soldier's name pending notification of next of kin. The death brings the total number of US fatalities from the attack to four.
The attack, which the US has blamed on Iranian-backed forces, initially left three soldiers dead and dozens wounded. The fourth soldier had been receiving treatment for injuries before succumbing to them.
Official response
Pentagon officials expressed condolences to the family and emphasized that the military is providing support. The White House has not issued a new statement specifically addressing the fourth death, but has previously vowed to hold Iran accountable for the attack.
No additional details about the soldier's unit or the exact location of the attack were provided. The incident remains under investigation.
Broader context
The attack is part of a series of escalations between US forces and Iran-backed militias in the Middle East. The US has conducted retaliatory strikes in response to previous attacks on its personnel. The rising death toll is likely to intensify calls for a stronger military response from some lawmakers.
New York City officials have not yet commented on the soldier's death. The city's congressional delegation is expected to reach out to the family.
The military has not released a timeline for the soldier's funeral or memorial services.
