‘As One Nation, We Grieve For the True American Patriots Who Have Made the Ultimate Sacrifice’ – RedState
President Donald Trump officially announced the deaths of three U.S. service members on Sunday afternoon, saying:
“Earlier today, CENTCOM announced that three U.S. service members were killed in action. As a nation, we mourn the true American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, while continuing the just mission for which they gave their lives. We pray for the full recovery of those injured and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen.”
Trump assured the world that “our resolve, and that of Israel, has never been stronger” and promised that “America would avenge their deaths and deliver the most punitive blow to the terrorists who 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 speech by saying:
Over the past 36 hours, the United States and its partners launched Operation Epic Fury, one of the largest, most complex and overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen.
We hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems; We have just announced that we have destroyed nine ships and their naval buildings, all in just a few minutes.
Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead. This miserable and vile man had the blood of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless thousands of innocent people in many countries.
Last night, across Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard applauding 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 remaining Revolutionary Guard members wanted to “surrender for their lives” and were demanding immunity.
Despite the loss of three service members, Trump said “major combat operations” would continue until “all of our objectives are achieved.”
Trump reiterated the danger the Islamo-fascist regime poses to America and the world and why eliminating it was our duty:
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would pose a grave threat to all Americans. We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow it to extort the world of its ill will. We will not let that happen. It does not happen to us, and we will not let it happen to others.”
We are undertaking this massive operation not only to ensure the safety of our time and place, but also for our children and their children, just as our ancestors did for us many, many years ago. It is the duty and the burden of a free people. These actions are right and necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical and bloodthirsty terrorist regime with nuclear weapons and numerous threats.
For nearly 50 years, these evil extremists have attacked the United States chanting “Death to America” or “Death to Israel,” or both. they are the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world. We are the largest and most powerful nation in the world, so we can do something about what they are doing.
These intolerable threats will no longer continue.
He ended his speech by encouraging “all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment… and take back their country,” adding: “I made you a promise and I kept that promise.” The rest will be up to you.
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