After First US Casualties, Trump Says He Expects More

Three US service members were killed in action during the joint attack on Iran, the Defense Department said Sunday, the first American casualties of the operation that began Saturday. "Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends," President Trump said Sunday afternoon in a video message, per the New York Times. "That's the way it is." Five others were seriously wounded, the Washington Post reports. US Central Command posted on X that several troops "sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty." The military did not release the names of those killed or any details but added that their identities will be released 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

In the six-minute video, per the AP, Trump called the three service members killed "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." He also said that "until all of our objectives are achieved," combat operations will continue "in full force." He did not specify what the objectives are. More than 200 have been reported killed in Iran since the US and Israel struck by the Iranian Red Crescent Society, per Axios. Iran was firing ballistic missiles and drones Sunday against American bases and targets in the Middle East. "Our response effort is ongoing," the US statement said, per CBS News. "My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region," Trump had said Saturday.