Traumatic Brain Injuries Emerge as Signature Wound in Iran War

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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are quickly becoming the signature wound of the U.S. war with Iran, echoing a pattern seen in post-9/11 conflicts. More than 200 U.S. troops have been wounded so far, with at least 140 suffering TBI-related injuries. The surge is driven by Iran's use of one-way attack drones and the concussive blasts they deliver in strikes against American troops across the Middle East.

Why it matters

TBIs can have debilitating long-term effects, including persistent headaches, fatigue, 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. This trend highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare and the need for continued research and support for service members suffering from these invisible wounds.

The details

The Pentagon has acknowledged the growing number of TBI cases among U.S. troops in the war with Iran. Symptoms can be subtle at first but often linger for years or even a lifetime. Experts say that if a service member is near a blast, there should be no doubt they have suffered a TBI, as the concussive force is inescapable. The Army only formally made TBIs eligible for the Purple Heart in 2011, nearly a decade into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• 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, but later acknowledged that 110 service members had been wounded, most suffering traumatic brain injuries.

What they’re saying

What’s next

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