On Sunday, President Donald Trump broke his silence regarding the initial American casualties in the ongoing conflict with Iran during an exclusive phone interview with the Daily Mail. The incident resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members, whose identities have not been disclosed yet. “They’re remarkable individuals,” Trump commented, acknowledging the risks inherent in such military operations. He pointed out that these were the first casualties under his leadership in his second term, in contrast to the earlier successful operations, such as the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January and the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June, which were completed without American losses.

Reflecting on these events, Trump remarked, “We’ve fared quite well.” He continued, praising the fallen service members for their “outstanding records.” The president also suggested that the conflict with Iran might continue for about four weeks. “It’s typically a four-week scenario,” he elaborated, citing the country’s size and strength as factors. He noted that the outcomes of the military actions were aligning with expectations, including the significant impact on Iran’s leadership, which was more extensive than anticipated, tallying up to 48 leaders.

While Trump remains open to discussions with Iran, the timing remains uncertain. “I’m unsure,” he stated when asked about the likelihood of imminent talks, emphasizing that he believed Iran had missed the opportunity for dialogue the previous week. The interview took place from his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he has been based since the initiation of the strikes on Iran. Later that day, Trump addressed the nation again through a video on Truth Social, as he had mentioned during the interview.

He vowed to ‘avenge’ US troops killed in the war in Iran, issued a new ultimatum to the enemy and implored America to back his battle for ‘freedom’ in his second address to the nation in 48 hours. ‘America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically, civilization,’ Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Sunday after the deaths of three service personnel in Kuwait. Trump told Iran’s leaders to give up the fight which has exploded across the Middle East, with missiles raining down on Israel , Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and on American military bases in the region. ‘These intolerable threats will not continue any longer. I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death,’ the president said. He urged the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow the Islamic regime, saying: ‘Be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country.’

Trump appealed to Americans to support the war amid growing discontent among his Republican allies and disastrous polling showing most Americans oppose the war ahead of crucial midterm elections in November. ‘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,’ the president said. ‘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.’ Trump called the three service members ‘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 added: ‘Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That´s the way it is. Likely be more.’

The US and Israel pounded targets across Iran on Sunday, dropping massive bombs on the country’s ballistic missile sites and wiping out warships as part of an intensifying military campaign after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Blasts rattled windows across the country and sent plumes of smoke high into the sky above the capital city of Tehran. More than 200 people have been killed since the start of the strikes that killed Khamenei and other senior leaders, Iranian leaders have said. The president told The Daily Mail he had spoken Sunday with the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and a ‘couple of others.’

Responding to the news that Saudi Arabia could launch attacks on Iran after being initially targeted, the president said, ‘they’re fighting, they’re fighting too.’ Trump is expected back in Washington, DC later Sunday. He said his people had been in touch with the families of the deceased service members. ‘And I’ll be meeting with their families at the appropriate time,’ he said. Trump said he’d ‘maybe’ travel out to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the solemn dignified transfer of the troops’ remains or invite the families to the White House. He also remained hopeful that a democracy could grow in Iran after the US and Israeli strikes end. ‘I do,’ he answered. ‘It’ll be very interesting to watch, but a lot of things could happen and a lot of very positive things could happen.’