Trump speaks out about three American troops killed in escalating conflict in Iran
Topics: Donald Trump, Iran, World News, US News
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Iran, World News, US News
Donald Trump shared a video message on Sunday (March 1) following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend that claimed the lives of three Americans.
Trump authorized a mission known as 'Operation Epic Fury' in a bid to target Iran's nuclear regime and destroy the country's ballistic missiles.
In a White House press release, it stated the air strikes followed 'exhaustive diplomatic efforts and comes after 47 years of Iranian aggression — including attacks on US citizens, sponsorship of global terrorism, and brutal oppression of its own people'.
The attacks, which started over the weekend, are believed to have killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the president announced on Saturday (February 28).
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He penned on Truth Social: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead."
United Nations held an emergency meeting after the attack where Iranian ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani urged the US to 'be polite'.
As well as Khamenei being killed in the US-Israeli attack, three American service men died — and Trump has since forewarned that these will not be the only fatalities.
Speaking in a video message, the POTUS said America would 'avenge' the deaths of the service members and that 'there will likely be more' killed before the conflict ends.
Trump made the comments in six-minute video he posted on social media yesterday afternoon.
He called the three service members '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'.
The president added: "Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more."
President Donald J. Trump provides an update on Operation Epic Fury: pic.twitter.com/Vte8QKpISn
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 1, 2026
Five others were seriously injured in the attack alongside those who lost their lives, and Trump called for people's prayers so that they would make a 'full recovery'.
In addition to US troops being impacted, more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the strikes that killed Khamenei and other senior leaders, according to Iranian leaders.
As it stands, it's unclear who will replace Khamenei following his death, but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said in a pre-recorded message that a new leadership council has already begun its work.
The country's Assembly of Experts are responsbile for choosing a new leader, CNN explains.
They were responsible for putting Khamenei into power more than three decades ago after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.