Howard Lutnick Apologizes for Misstating Iran War Death Toll

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick apologized Thursday after incorrectly stating during a CNBC interview that no American service members had died in the ongoing war in Iran. Lutnick later clarified on X that he misspoke because he was thinking about a military operation in Venezuela where no casualties occurred.

Lutnick acknowledged that 18 U.S. military personnel have been killed and more than 750 wounded since the conflict began in late February. President Donald Trump defended the Commerce Secretary on Truth Social while confirming the 18 deaths in Iran.

The incident occurs amid ongoing criticism of the administration and the Department of Defense for allegedly downplaying the conflict's human cost. The war has lasted seven months and resulted in over 3,500 Iranian fatalities.