Iranian military advisor to Mojtaba Khamenei alleges hundreds of US personnel killed or injured in strikes

Rezaei's remarks follow extended US aerial operations aimed at curbing Iran's threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and encouraging Tehran to engage in talks.

US forces operating in the Strait of Hormuz, July 17, 2026.

(photo credit: Screenshot/X/@PeteHegseth)

ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS

AUGUST 4, 2026 09:56

Updated: AUGUST 4, 2026 11:25

Iran struck hundreds of US soldiers during July operations and injured many more, stated Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a Monday interview with state-run Press TV.

Press TV reported that the US acknowledged 650 total casualties from the strikes, combining killed and wounded, while Iranian estimates placed deaths near 500.

Latest figures from US Central Command indicate four US soldiers died in Jordan and Iraq during July 2026, plus 14 earlier in the year amid Operation Epic Fury.

By late July, 417 troops appeared on wounded lists from the Iran conflict, with another 207 noted in overseas operations.

Rezaei spoke amid prolonged US airstrikes designed to limit Iran's capacity to disrupt commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and push Tehran back toward negotiations, with the latest phase starting in July.

Successive US actions have prompted stronger Iranian replies targeting American forces, Washington's Gulf allies, and maritime routes.

Rezaei alleges Israeli influence over US policy

Rezaei asserted that Israel avoided direct involvement in the latest US-Iran clashes due to commitments in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, portraying it as a cover to project US independence while the Zionist regime steers Washington into the fray.

These US actions could ignite a third world war more devastating than the second, Rezaei told Press TV, mirroring comments Trump made hours earlier from the Oval Office.

Trump and Iranian officials differ on ceasefire talks

Trump stated that Iran, supported by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, sought renewed discussions to avoid strikes he described as the largest since World War II.

He made the announcement about fresh talks while addressing reporters on Air Force One on Sunday.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei denied any ongoing negotiations with the United States and confirmed no meetings were planned.

Iran had no intention of receiving foreign delegations or dispatching negotiators overseas soon, he added.

Rezaei reiterated Iran's preference for diplomacy over ongoing conflict and labeled the United States a warmonger.

It was America that struck our nation and people, killing our Leader and children. Did we attack them and slaughter their citizens? he questioned.

Tzvi Jasper, Shir Perets, and Reuters contributed to this report.