Trump's warning came ahead of reports that “several United States military aircraft crashed” on Monday, March 2
Credit: The White House
NEED TO KNOW
- Donald Trump has warned that “there will likely be more” deaths after it was confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed during ongoing U.S.-Israeli military action in Iran
- 5 other members of the U.S. military were confirmed seriously injured on Sunday, March 1
- Iran retaliated with strikes on U.S. bases, while Kuwait and other nations intercepted missiles amid escalating tensions
Donald Trump has warned that “there will likely be more” deaths after it was confirmed that three U.S. service members had been killed amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, which began over the weekend.
Speaking in an update about the attack, which has been dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” Trump, 79, said, “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,” per a clip shared by the White House on YouTube on Sunday, March 1.
“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen," Trump added. "And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is. Likely be more."
“But, 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," Trump continued.
Credit: Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty
As previously reported by PEOPLE, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed "Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded,” per an X post shared on Sunday.
“Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty," U.S. Central Command added. "Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing."
The authorities said the identities of the dead service members, as well as additional information tied to their deaths, would be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
Trump’s latest update comes amid reports that “several United States military aircraft crashed” on Monday, March 2, but “all crew members survived the incident” Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement, per the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense spokesperson Colonel Saud Al-Atwan said in the statement that “relevant authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations,” and that the crew members taken to hospital were in stable condition, according to KUNA.
Videos geolocated by the outlet showed a fighter jet crashing in the country with a pilot being seen parachuting to the ground, CNN stated. The outlet noted that the jet appeared to be an F-15E fighter jet. It’s unclear what caused the crashes, CNN added.
One video circulating on X appeared to show local residents helping the pilot of a downed fighter jet, placing him in the back of a car, while another X post showed locals assisting following a crash.
The White House and the U.S. Central Command didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.
Credit: Noor Pictures/Shutterstock
Trump announced in the early hours of Saturday, Feb. 28 that the U.S. was taking "massive and ongoing" military action in Iran to intervene due to violence against anti-government protesters and claims of the Iranian government rebuilding its nuclear program.
The U.S. and Israel carried out a "broad strike in full synchronization and coordination," according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), following months of “close and joint planning," CNN reported. A post on IDF social media pages confirmed the "broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time."
Iran retaliated with strikes on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including the U.S. naval base in Bahrain and the U.S. base in northern Iraq.
Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, who all have U.S. bases, also confirmed they had intercepted missiles from Iran.
Trump stated later in the day that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed at age 86 amid the strike on Iran.
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"This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also told The Atlantic in a phone call on Sunday morning that he’s planning to talk with Iran’s new leadership. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” he told the outlet from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Fla. shortly before 9:30 a.m. local time.
Multiple airlines have cancelled flights to the Middle East amid the attacks, leaving Americans stranded. Several countries in the region have closed or partially closed their airspace, CNN previously reported.
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