WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump mentioned Sunday that U.S. fight operations towards Iran will proceed “in full power” till all American aims are achieved, whereas acknowledging the deaths of three U.S. service members and warning that extra casualties are seemingly because the joint U.S.-Israeli marketing campaign intensifies.
In a six-minute video message posted to X by the White Home and shared on Reality Social, Trump described the strikes as “one of many largest, most advanced, most overwhelming navy offensives the world has ever seen.” He mentioned U.S. and Israeli forces hit a whole lot of targets in Iran, together with Revolutionary Guard services, air protection methods, 9 Iranian naval ships and the nation’s naval headquarters.
“Fight operations proceed at the moment in full power, and they’ll proceed till all of our aims are achieved,” Trump mentioned. “We’ve very robust aims.”
U.S. Central Command introduced earlier Sunday that three American service members have been killed and 5 others critically wounded in the course of the operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by U.S. officers. The deaths mark the primary recognized American casualties within the marketing campaign, which started with Saturday’s strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and different senior leaders.
Trump expressed condolences for the fallen and their households.
“As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who’ve made the final word sacrifice for our nation, whilst we proceed the righteous mission for which they gave their lives,” he mentioned. “We pray for the complete restoration of the wounded and ship our immense love and everlasting gratitude to the households of the fallen.”
“Sadly, there’ll seemingly be extra,” he added. “However we’ll do all the things potential the place that received’t be the case. However America will avenge their deaths and ship probably the most punishing blow to the terrorists who’ve waged warfare towards, mainly, civilization.”
Trump mentioned the strikes have been mandatory to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons can be a dire menace to each American,” he mentioned. “For nearly 50 years, these depraved extremists have been attacking the US whereas chanting the slogan ‘Loss of life to America’ or ‘Loss of life to Israel’ or each. They’re the world’s primary state sponsor of terror.”
He reported that Iran’s “total navy command is gone” and mentioned hundreds of Iranian personnel are in search of to give up.
“I as soon as once more urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian navy police, to put down your arms and obtain full immunity or face sure demise,” Trump mentioned.
He additionally known as on the Iranian individuals to overthrow the regime, noting reported celebrations within the streets after Khamenei’s demise.
“Final night time, throughout Iran, the voices of the Iranian individuals may very well be heard cheering and celebrating within the streets when his demise was introduced,” Trump mentioned. “I name upon all of the radiant patriots who yearn for freedom to grab this second, to be courageous, be daring, be heroic and take again your nation. America is with you.”
Trump mentioned he had fulfilled a promise to confront the Iranian menace and left the way forward for Iran to its individuals.
“I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The remaining will likely be as much as you, however we’ll be there to assist,” he mentioned.
The video got here as Israel continued its personal strikes on Iran and Iranian forces launched retaliatory assaults, together with missile hearth that struck targets in Israel and Gulf states. Trump has signaled willingness to have interaction in diplomacy with any new Iranian management that emerges.
