CENTCOM confirmed three American troops were killed as Washington reported widespread strikes on Iranian military and naval assets over the past 36 hours.
US President Donald Trump (Photo: IANS/X/@WhiteHouse)
US President Donald Trump has said that the military campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury will continue “at full force” until its goals are met, even as he acknowledged that further American casualties are possible.
In a video message shared on Truth Social, Trump described the operation as one of the most extensive offensives ever launched, saying US forces and their partners had carried out large-scale strikes across Iran over the past 36 hours. The remarks come amid confirmed American losses and escalating tensions in the region.
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“Over the past 36 hours, the United States and its partners have launched Operation Epic Fury, one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen. Nobody’s seen anything like it.”
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Trump claimed that US forces had targeted hundreds of locations in Iran, including installations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and air defence systems. He also said nine ships and a naval facility were destroyed within minutes during the strikes.
“We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defence systems. Just now, it was announced that we knocked out nine ships, plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes,” he further said.
The US President stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed. He described Khamenei as responsible for the deaths of many Americans and said reports suggested that some people in Iran had taken to the streets after news of his death.
Earlier, Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei was killed in the February 28 US-Israel strikes, along with members of his family, including his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law.
Trump further claimed that Iran’s military leadership had been dismantled and alleged that several officials were seeking to surrender in exchange for immunity.
“The entire military command is gone as well. And many of them want to surrender to save their lives. They want immunity. They’re calling by the thousands,” said Trump.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that three American military personnel were killed in action. Trump paid tribute to what he called “true American patriots” who had made the ultimate sacrifice, while cautioning that more losses could occur before the operation concludes.
He vowed retaliation against those responsible for American deaths, saying the US would deliver a “punishing blow” to those he accused of targeting civilians.
Trump argued that Iran’s leadership, armed with long-range missiles and nuclear capabilities, posed a serious threat and said the US would not allow such weapons to be used for coercion.
Reaffirming the strength of the American military, he said the US armed forces remain unmatched globally. He also called on members of the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military, and the police to surrender, warning of severe consequences if they did not.
“I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military, police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death.”
Addressing Iranian citizens directly, Trump urged those seeking change to act with courage, saying the United States stood with them.
“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise.”
Combat operations, he said, remain ongoing.
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