United States President Donald Trump has vowed to continue what he described as a “righteous mission” against Iran until “all objectives are achieved”, acknowledging that further US troop casualties are likely.
In a video address posted on his Truth Social account on Sunday, Trump again characterised the conflict as a response to what he called an existential threat to the United States, warning that “an Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American”.
Trump and senior members of his administration had issued similar warnings in the days preceding Saturday’s strikes, which killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other high-ranking figures within Iran’s leadership.
However, US officials have so far provided no evidence that Iran was developing long-range missiles capable of striking the United States or was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, while experts say that even if Iran sought to develop such weapons, it would likely take several years. The US launched the attacks alongside Israel while talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme were still under way.
Trump also referred to the deaths of three US military personnel confirmed on Sunday amid Iran’s regional retaliation.
“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,” Trump said.
“And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends,” he said. “That’s the way it is – likely be more, but we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
He added: “But America will avenge their deaths, and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilisation”.
No Mention of Diplomacy
The address contrasted sharply with remarks Trump made earlier in the day, during which he suggested potential diplomatic openings.
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump told The Atlantic, referring to what the magazine described as Iran’s “new leadership”.
“They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” he said.
A White House official said Trump was open to engaging with Iran’s new leaders.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran announced the formation of a three-member interim leadership council following Khamenei’s death. The council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.
Trump acknowledged that several Iranian officials involved in negotiations with the US had since been killed.
Analysts have suggested that Iran’s new leadership may be reluctant to engage with the Trump administration, citing previous negotiations during which US and Israeli strikes were launched. Some experts say Tehran could instead pursue a prolonged conflict that may prove politically damaging for Trump.
“Most of those people are gone,” Trump told The Atlantic. “Some of the people we were dealing with are gone, because that was a big – that was a big hit.”
Attacks Continue
In his Sunday address, Trump made no reference to diplomatic efforts, instead reiterating calls for regime change in Iran.
He again offered amnesty to members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, military, and police forces who “lay down” their arms, warning that those who refuse would face “certain death”.
Trump also renewed his appeal to “Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country”.
He appeared to reference earlier threats made in January in response to Iran’s crackdown on protesters.
“I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise,” Trump said. “The rest will be up to you. We’ll be there to help”.
The remarks came as fighting continued across the region.
US Central Command, or CENTCOM, confirmed earlier on Sunday that three US service members had been killed, with five others “seriously wounded”. No further details were provided.
US media reported that those killed were based in Kuwait. Iran has also launched attacks on Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman.
Iranian authorities said at least 201 people had been killed and 747 wounded inside Iran, while Israel reported at least nine deaths and 121 injuries. One person was killed in Kuwait, three in the UAE, and two in Iraq since the escalation began.
Iran’s IRGC claimed it had targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with four ballistic missiles, though a US official told Al Jazeera that no damage was sustained.
In a separate interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump said that 48 Iranian “leaders” had been killed, though no official list has been released. In a post on Truth Social, he said the US had “destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important”.
“In a different attack, we largely destroyed their Naval Headquarters,” he said.
CENTCOM later said on X that the IRGC “no longer has a headquarters”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s military command structure had been disrupted, with units operating independently based on pre-issued instructions.
Still, Araghchi told ABC News, “We see no limit for ourselves to defend our people, to protect our people.”
