NEW: More U.S. service members died during the Iran war than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed, according to six U.S. officials familiar with internal casualty figures.

NEW: More U.S. service members died during the Iran war than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed, according to six U.S. officials familiar with internal casualty figures.

Five officials said at least 22 military deaths have occurred since the conflict began on Feb. 28 — four more than are listed in the Pentagon's public casualty database. Another official said the toll could be 23, while three American contractors in the area also died.

The Pentagon database currently lists 18 US military deaths.

Officials said details of the additional deaths, including identities and circumstances, remained unclear, while the Defense Department declined to comment on the discrepancy.

Source: WaPo