President Trump acknowledges more casualties likely as operations against Iran continue
Three U.S. service members were killed in Operation Epic Fury
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in the strikes
Trump claims Iran's military command is 'gone' with many seeking surrender
Iran's foreign minister insists military capability remains unchanged
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President Trump acknowledged in a video address on March 1, 2026, that there will likely be more American casualties as U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, continue 'in full force' until all objectives are achieved, following the deaths of three U.S. service members in the conflict. 'As one nation, 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,' Trump stated in his address posted to social media, adding that 'sadly, there will likely be more before it ends.' The president emphasized that America will 'avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization,' while confirming that combat operations continue at full strength. Trump characterized the operation as 'one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen,' claiming that U.S. and allied forces 'hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems and nine ships plus their naval base, all in a matter of literally minutes.' The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed Saturday along with other senior Iranian officials in a missile strike based on CIA intelligence shared with Israel, marked a significant development in the conflict. Trump claimed that 'all over Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced,' and asserted that 'the entire military command is gone as well,' with many Iranian officials allegedly seeking immunity and surrender. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Sunday that 'nothing has changed' in Iran's military capability, drawing parallels to previous conflicts where commanders were quickly replaced and retaliation followed within hours. Trump framed the strikes as necessary 'to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, blood thirsty terrorist regime, armed with nuclear weapons,' characterizing Iran as 'the world's number one state sponsor of terror' that has been attacking the United States for almost 50 years while chanting 'Death to America.'
Ali Hosseini Khamenei (born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and politician who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. His tenure as supreme leader, spanning 36 years, makes him the longest-serving head of...
Iran's nuclear program, one of the most scrutinized in the world, has sparked intense international concern. While Iran asserts that its nuclear ambitions are purely for civilian purposes, including energy production, the country historically pursued the secretive AMAD nuclear weapons project (stopp...
On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on various targets in Iran. The operation, codenamed Roaring Lion (Hebrew: מִבְצַע שְׁאָגַת הָאֲרִי, romanized: mivtsá she'agát ha'arí) in Israel, Operation Epic Fury by the United States Department of Defense, began with a se...
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Born into a wealthy New York City family, Trump graduated from the...
Politics Trump predicts more U.S. casualties as Iran operations will "continue until all of our objectives are achieved" By Jordan Freiman Jordan Freiman News Editor Jordan Freiman is a news editor for CBSNews.com. He covers breaking news, trending stories, sports and crime. Jordan has previously worked at Spin and Death and Taxes. Read Full Bio Jordan Freiman March 1, 2026 / 5:22 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google President Trump on Sunday said in a video address that there will likely be more American casualties as the U.S-Israeli war on Iran , dubbed Operation Epic Fury, continues "in full force." "As one nation, 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." Mr. Trump said in his address, which was posted to social media on Sunday. "We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is. Likely be more." U.S. Central Command said earlier Sunday that three U.S. service members had been killed during Operation Epic Fury, but did not specify where those deaths took place. "We'll do everything possible where that won't be the case, but America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization," Mr. Trump added. The president said, "Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved." "We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn't get there," Mr. Trump said, referring to negotiations on Iran's nuclear program that were ongoing when the strikes against the country began. "An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American," the president said....
