Number of US troops wounded in war against Iran rises to about 200

WASHINGTON, March 16 - The number of U.S. troops wounded in the war against Iran has risen to about 200, the U.S. military said on Monday, as the conflict entered its third week.

Reuters first reported last week that as many as 150 U.S. troops have been wounded in the conflict, highlighting the danger from Iranian retaliatory strikes.

In a statement, the U.S. military's Central Command said the vast majority suffered minor injuries and 180 troops had already returned to duty.

In addition to the wounded, 13 U.S. troops have been killed since Iran launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. military bases following the start of the conflict on February 28.

Iranian attacks have also struck diplomatic missions as well as hotels and airports and damaged energy infrastructure in Arab Gulf states.

The United States has carried out strikes against more than 7,000 targets in Iran. Last week, Trump said the U.S. hit military sites at Kharg Island, the Iranian outpost that handles 90% of the country's oil exports. REUTERS