President Donald Trump on March 1 (US time) warned that US combat operations in Iran are still ongoing and will continue until Washington achieves all set goals.
In a video posted on Truth Social, Mr. Trump confirmed that 3 US soldiers were killed and said that there may be more casualties. He declared that he would avenge the fallen soldiers. Previously, the US military announced 3 soldiers dead, 5 seriously injured and many lightly injured in the operation against Iran. Two unnamed US officials said that the incident occurred in Kuwait but the specific situation is unclear.
Operational operations are continuing at all costs and will continue until all of our goals are completed. We have very strong goals," Trump emphasized. He acknowledged the possibility of further losses before the conflict ends, but affirmed that the US will impose the heaviest punishment on the warring parties.
In his speech, Mr. Trump called on the Iranian armed forces to "surrender or die", after the US military announced it had destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He proposed that the IRGC, Iranian army and police lay down their arms to enjoy full immunity, otherwise they would face serious consequences. The US leader also called on the Iranian people to "reclaim their country" and affirmed that the US is side by side with them.
According to Mr. Trump, the first airstrikes hit hundreds of targets, destroying most of Iran's navy. He said that 48 Iranian military leaders and commanders were killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The US President also expressed his willingness to dialogue with Iran's new leaders, but did not specify the time.
The US and Israeli militaries launched a campaign to attack Iran, targeting defense and intelligence facilities and many high-ranking officials and generals. Tehran then announced the launch of a retaliatory campaign targeting Israeli territory and US bases in 8 Middle Eastern countries, causing infrastructure damage. Iran affirmed that the target was US forces, not the territory of neighboring countries.
