President Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to “avenge” American service members killed in action as escalating hostilities with Iran continue to roil the Middle East. “As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Trump said in a video statement shared on Truth Social.
“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 cautioned that “sadly, there will likely be more before it ends.”
“America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war,” Trump said. “Our resolve and likewise that of Israel has never been stronger.”
The remarks marked Trump’s first public comments following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several senior Iranian officials — a development that signaled the possibility of a drawn-out conflict.
“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,” Trump said.
He stated that American forces had hit “hundreds of targets” across Iran, including facilities tied to the Revolutionary Guard, air defense systems and naval assets. Trump added that the U.S. “knocked out nine Iranian ships in a matter of literally minutes,” and said operations would persist “until all of our objectives are achieved.”
The president also issued a direct warning to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and military commanders, urging them to surrender in exchange for immunity or face “certain death.”
Before the strikes, U.S. forces assembled what Trump previously described as an “armada” near Iran. Positioned across the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters, the buildup included two aircraft carrier strike groups — the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford — supported by guided-missile destroyers and cruisers capable of sustained air and missile missions. Defense officials said more than a dozen additional U.S. warships are operating in the region in supporting roles, according to Fox News.
Tehran has vowed to retaliate. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said avenging Khamenei’s killing is both a “legitimate duty and right,” adding that Tehran “will forcefully crush the enemy’s bases.”