Data Shows Iraq War Deaths Linked to Iran

According to Military Times, the figures from U.S. Central Command show the fatalities from the end of 2005 through 2011 were directly caused by "explosively formed penetrators" — a type of deadly bomb used by the Iranian-backed Shiite militias during the Iraq War.

Another 861 American troops were wounded by the Iranian-made devices, the data shows.

The revelation comes as it appears President Barack Obama has the votes to sustain a veto from Congress on the nuclear proliferation pact with Iran.

But the death toll is far lower than the 500 claimed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and others over the summer, Military Times reports.

The higher number would be accurate, however, if it took into account deaths caused by Iranian-made rockets known as "lob bombs," or "improvised rocket-assisted munitions," an unnamed military official tells Military Times.

In an email to Military Times, a Cruz spokesman said the details of the data do not change the senator's view that the Iran nuclear deal will empower Iran's Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force.

"Whether the number is 500 lives or 196 or anywhere in between is immaterial; the fact remains that General Soleimani — a man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American service members — will receive sanctions relief to the tune of millions of dollars if the Iran deal is approved," said Phil Novack, Cruz's press secretary, writes Military Times.

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