Traumatic Brain Injuries Emerge as Signature Wound in Iran War

Over 140 of the 200 U.S. troops wounded so far have suffered TBIs, echoing post-9/11 conflicts

Mar. 20, 2026 at 3:56am

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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are quickly becoming the signature wound of the U.S. war with Iran, with over 140 of the 200 U.S. troops wounded so far suffering from TBI-related injuries. This surge is being driven by Iran's reliance on one-way attack drones and the concussive blasts they deliver in strikes against American troops across the Middle East. Symptoms of TBI can be subtle but often linger for years, ranging from persistent headaches and fatigue to more severe cognitive effects like memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Veterans with TBIs are also nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to those without a brain injury.

Why it matters

TBIs have been widely seen as a signature wound of the post-9/11 wars, as insurgent tactics have relied on explosives to target U.S. troops. This pattern is now emerging in the conflict with Iran, raising concerns about the long-term health impacts on service members and the strain it will place on the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The details

More than 200 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war with Iran so far, and at least 140 of those were TBI-related injuries. The surge is being driven by Iran's use of one-way attack drones, which deliver concussive blasts that can cause TBIs even if the victim is not directly hit. Symptoms of TBI can be subtle at first but often linger for years or even a lifetime, including persistent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.

  • In January 2020, Iran launched 15 ballistic missiles at U.S. forces at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
  • After the 2020 attack, the Trump administration initially said no troops had been injured, before later acknowledging that 110 service members had been wounded, most suffering traumatic brain injuries.

The players

Jayna Moceri-Brooks

A doctor who studies combat-related brain injuries.

Aaron Futrell

A 44-year-old Staff Sgt. in the Ohio Army National Guard who was near one of the missile strikes at Al Asad Air Base in 2020 and has wrestled with lingering TBI symptoms ever since.

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What they’re saying

“If they're near a blast, there should be no doubt they have a TBI. You can't escape from blast overpressure … symptoms can be debilitating.”

— Jayna Moceri-Brooks, Doctor who studies combat-related brain injuries

“It has been a huge strain on my family and me. I don't look disabled. I can act like a normal individual. I'm good until I'm not.”

— Aaron Futrell, Staff Sgt., Ohio Army National Guard

What’s next

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to monitor and treat the growing number of service members suffering from traumatic brain injuries sustained during the conflict with Iran.

The takeaway

The surge in traumatic brain injuries among U.S. troops in the Iran war highlights the lasting health impacts of modern warfare, and the need for continued research, treatment, and support for veterans dealing with the debilitating effects of these invisible wounds.