WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump vowed that Iran would face intensified retaliation after multiple U.S. service members were killed over the weekend, marking one of the deadliest periods for American forces since the conflict between Washington and Tehran escalated earlier this year.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump said, “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over,” adding that he had directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine and other military leaders to carry out the policy.
The Pentagon said the number of U.S. military personnel killed in the conflict had risen to 17 following the latest attacks. U.S. officials confirmed that two service members were killed during an Iranian missile and drone attack targeting U.S. forces in Jordan. The military also said unidentified remains recovered from the attack site were undergoing examination, while additional casualty assessments continued.
Trump is expected to attend the dignified transfer of the fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base, according to the White House. The administration has defended its military campaign against Iran as necessary to counter Tehran's military capabilities and deter further attacks on U.S. personnel.
The latest casualties came after a brief ceasefire collapsed earlier this month, leading to renewed exchanges of missile, drone and air strikes across the region. The Pentagon has acknowledged that hundreds of U.S. personnel have been injured since the conflict began, although officials said most have since returned to duty.
Iran has continued military operations against U.S. forces and regional targets while rejecting Washington's pressure campaign. Tehran has maintained that its actions are a response to U.S. military operations, although the competing claims of the two governments regarding responsibility for specific attacks could not be independently verified.
The renewed violence has intensified scrutiny in Washington over the administration's strategy and the expanding military commitment in the Middle East. Congressional hearings with senior Defense Department officials are expected in the coming days as lawmakers seek further details on the conflict, its objectives and its growing human and financial costs.
