President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that U.S. service members killed in recent overseas conflicts had voiced their support for the ongoing war with Iran, emphasizing their alleged desire to prevent the nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.
"They said, and they, all of them said very strongly, ‘We can’t let, cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’” Trump told reporters before departing for a ceremony honoring fallen service members. "So we’re going to honor them. And one of the hardest things to do for me, it’s one of the hardest things for me to do as president, but it has to be done."
Trump made these remarks before presiding over the dignified transfer of remains of four soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Among the fallen were two U.S. Army soldiers, Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Isabella Gonzales, 19, who were killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan the previous week. The remains of Angel S. Rampersad, 28, who was believed to have gone missing after those attacks, were also returned. The fourth service member, Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, died Sunday during a controlled detonation at a military base in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.
At least 18 U.S. service members have been killed since the commencement of military actions against Iran on February 28. The administration initially stated these operations would be short-term, but they have continued for nearly five months.
Trump also defended the sustained military actions, which have cost U.S. taxpayers at least $37.5 billion. He disputed polls indicating growing public opposition to the conflict, asserting, "Nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon."