President Donald Trump formally announced the deaths of three U.S. service members on Sunday afternoon, saying:
“Earlier today CENTCOM shared the news that three U.S. military service members have been killed in action. 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. We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen.”
Trump assured the world that “Our resolve, and likewise that of Israel, has never been stronger,” and promised that “America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against…civilization itself.”
His comments were part of an update on Operation Epic Fury, approximately 36 hours after its launch.
🎥 WATCH: @POTUS shares an update on Operation Epic Fury: pic.twitter.com/boPUzHG7hA
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) March 1, 2026
He began his remarks by saying:
Over the past 36 hours the United States and its partners have launched Operation Epic Fury, one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen.
We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems; just now we’ve announced that we knocked out nine ships plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes.
Iran’s formerly Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is dead. This wretched and vile man had the blood of hundreds and even thousands of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless thousands of innocent people all across many countries.
Last night, all over Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced.
Trump added that Iran’s entire military command had been eliminated and that “thousands” of the remaining Revolutionary Guard members want to “surrender into saving their lives” and want immunity.
Despite the loss of three service members, Trump said that “major combat operations” will continue until “all of our objectives are achieved.”
Trump reiterated the danger the Islamofascist regime posed to America and the world and why taking it out was our duty:
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American. We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow them to extort the world to their evil will. Not gonna let it happen. It’s not happening to us, and we’re not gonna let it happen to others.”
We’re undertaking this massive operation not merely to ensure security for our own time and place, but for our children and their children, just as our ancestors have done for us many, many years ago. This is the duty and the burden of a free people. These actions are right, and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats.
For almost 50 years these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan, “Death to America” or “Death to Israel” or both. they are the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. We are the world’s greatest and most powerful nation, so we can do something about what they do.
These intolerable threats will not continue any longer.
He ended his remarks by encouraging “all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment…and take back your country,” adding, “I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you.”
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