US says 34 troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after Iran strike

Top US officials had denied any of its personnel were injured in the Iranian missile attack on Ain Al Asad airbase

Nearly three dozen US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries or concussion in the Iranian missile strikes on Ain Al Asad airbase. AFP

The Pentagon said on Friday that 34 service members had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury following missile strikes by Iran on a base in Iraq earlier this month, a number higher than the military had previously announced.

President Donald Trump and other top officials initially said Iran's attack had not killed or injured any US service members.

Last week the US military said 11 of its troops had been treated for concussion symptoms after the attack on the Ain Al Asad airbase in western Iraq and this week said additional troops had been moved out of Iraq with suspected injuries.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters that 17 of the service members diagnosed had already returned to duty in Iraq.

Eight service members who had been previously transported to Germany had been moved to the United States and would receive treatment at either Walter Reed military hospital or their home bases.

U.S. soldiers are seen at the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

Debris and rubble are seen at the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

U.S. soldiers inspect the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

U.S. soldiers are seen at the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

Blast walls of a sleeping quarters for U.S. soldiers are seen at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

Military vehicles of U.S. soldiers are seen at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq. Reuters

Mr Hoffman said the service members were being treated on an outpatient basis and were transported back to the United States in order to be closer to their pre-deployment bases.

Nine service members remain in Germany and are undergoing evaluations and treatment.

Mr Hoffman said the military had seen symptoms like headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and nausea.

On Wednesday, President Trump appeared to play down the injuries, saying he "heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things".

Pentagon officials have said there had been no effort to minimise or delay information on concussive injuries, but its handling of the injuries following Tehran's attack has renewed questions over the US military's policy regarding how it deals with suspected brain injuries.

While the US military has to immediately report incidents threatening life, limb or eyesight, it does not have an urgent requirement to do so with suspected traumatic brain injury, or TBI, which can take time to manifest and diagnose.

Mr Hoffman said US Defence Secretary Mark Esper had directed the Pentagon to review the process for tracking and reporting injuries.

"The goal is to be as transparent, accurate and to provide the American people and our service members with the best information," Mr Hoffman said.

For years, medical groups have been trying to raise awareness about the seriousness of brain injuries, including concussions.

According to Pentagon data, about 408,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000.