PostHole
Compose
Login
Trump says ‘likely more’ deaths of US troops to come before Iran conflict ends
Trump cited debunked claims in video address that Iran was on verge of nuclear weapons to justify US casualties
Donald Trump recorded a new video address on Sunday, vowing to avenge three American deaths after the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and accusing the Iranian regime of “waging war against civilization itself”.
The US president addressed the deaths, saying “we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives” and called for prayers for “the full recovery” of five others that were seriously wounded.
Continue reading...
Trump says attacks on Iran to continue until 'objectives are achieved’ - video
Trump says ‘likely more’ deaths of US troops to come before Iran conflict ends
Trump cited debunked claims in video address that Iran was on verge of nuclear weapons to justify US casualties
Donald Trump recorded a new video address on Sunday, vowing to avenge three American deaths after the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and accusing the Iranian regime of “waging war against civilization itself”.
The US president addressed the deaths, saying “we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives” and called for prayers for “the full recovery” of five others that were seriously wounded.
But he warned: “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is likely to be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
US Central Command (Centcom), which oversees military operations in the Middle East from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, announced earlier on Sunday that as of 9.30am ET three US service members and been killed and five seriously wounded in what the Pentagon calls Operation Epic Fury. The US military did not say when and where the casualties occurred, but they mark the first US losses since Trump ordered the attack on Iran early on Saturday.
[US allies and foes left scrambling as Trump catches them off-guard on Iran
Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/01/us-allies-foes-scrambling-trump-off-guard-iran)
The statement also said “several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions” and were going to return to duty.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” Centcom added.
In the president’s edited, six-minute address, which was first posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, he sought to steel US public opinion for what may be a longer military campaign than they anticipated. He told the Daily Mail that he expects the conflict could last “four weeks or so”.
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,” Trump said, despite the fact that there is no credible evidence Iran was trying to build a nuclear weapon. “We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow them to extort the world to their evil will. Not going to happen.”
Trump claimed Iran’s “entire military command is gone” and “many of them want to surrender. They want immunity. They’re calling by the thousands”.
But Iran’s military, the Revolutionary Guard Corps, has threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” ever, targeting Israeli and American military installations. The counterattacks have taken aim at US bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
European allies are also moving to protect interests in the Middle East. UK prime minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that he has agreed to let the US use two British military bases to attack Iranian missile sites, since Iran’s retaliation in the gulf region was becoming more reckless and putting British lives at risk.
[Iran’s military options limited as it tries to hit back at US-Israeli attack
Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/01/iran-military-options-limited-us-israel-attack)
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose,” Starmer said. “We have taken the decision to accept this request – to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved”.
In his address, Trump said the joint US-Israeli attack was “one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen. Nobody’s seen anything like it.”
He said the combined forces have “hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems. Just now was announced that we knocked out nine ships, plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes.”
Trump concluded with a warning to Iran’s leaders and military.
“We are the world’s greatest and most powerful nation,” he said. “These intolerable threats will not continue any longer. I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death won’t be pretty.”
And he called on “Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you.”.
Explore more on these topics
- Donald Trump
- US-Israel war on Iran
- Iran
- Trump administration
- US politics
- US military
- news