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strikeMay 26, 2026

Donald Trump honours 13 US service members killed in West Asia conflict

Summary

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) honoured the thirteen US service members killed during the war with Iran. Remembering their sacrifice, US President Donald Trump, referring to Iran as "the number one state sponsor of terror", reiterated that Tehran will "never have a nuclear weapon". "In Operation Epic Fury, we lost 13 wonderful souls, wonderful special people. These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh, and they won't. They will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said during the Memorial Day remarks. Also Read: Rubio says Iran deal still possible despite US strikes; Hormuz Strait ‘must be open’ "For the fate of freedom on this earth, we salute you like nobody has ever been saluted before," Trump added. Trump also asked the family of one fallen US service member, Capt. Ariana G. Savin to stand up and be recognised. He assured that US military engagement in Iran will end in victory and the service member's death will not be in vain. "Ariana's selfless gift will not be in vain. Our debt to you is everlasting, and it's always going to end in victory. We're having victories all over the place, more than we've had many, many decades," he said. Also Read:US military says it carried out 'self-defense' strikes on Iran, including on missile launch sites "In two wars recently, we've lost a total of 13 service members," Trump said, referring to Venezuela and Iran. He touted US military operations in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, in which he said that the US "lost no one", calling it a "complete and total victory." Meanwhile, the US and Iran are engaged in efforts to resolve differences over the wording related to Tehran's nuclear programme and the lifting of sanctions for the peace deal aimed at finalising a solution to the hostilities in West Asia, amid negotiations to make incremental progress in the deal, CNN reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. According to CNN, citing US officials, the disagreements over "language on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions" have slowed the finalisation of a broader understanding to finalise the deal between Tehran and Washington, though there is growing optimism that the gaps could be bridged soon. A US official noted that the presence of an Iranian delegation in Qatar on Monday, including senior members of Tehran's negotiating team, was viewed as a positive development, citing Qatar's role as a mediator in facilitating dialogue, CNN reported. The United States has been seeking firm assurances from Iran that it will dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and will not pursue nuclear weapons capability. However, Iranian representatives have maintained that detailed discussions on the nuclear programme are not currently on the table and will be addressed in a subsequent round of negotiations. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Remembering their sacrifice, US President Donald Trump, referring to Iran as "the number one state sponsor of terror", reiterated that Tehran will "never have a nuclear weapon". "In Operation Epic Fury, we lost 13 wonderful souls, wonderful special people. These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh, and they won't. They will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said during the Memorial Day remarks. Also Read: Rubio says Iran deal still possible despite US strikes; Hormuz Strait ‘must be open’ "For the fate of freedom on this earth, we salute you like nobody has ever been saluted before," Trump added. Trump also asked the family of one fallen US service member, Capt. Ariana G. Savin to stand up and be recognised. He assured that US military engagement in Iran will end in victory and the service member's death will not be in vain. "Ariana's selfless gift will not be in vain. Our debt to you is everlasting, and it's always going to end in victory. We're having victories all over the place, more than we've had many, many decades," he said. Also Read:US military says it carried out 'self-defense' strikes on Iran, including on missile launch sites "In two wars recently, we've lost a total of 13 service members," Trump said, referring to Venezuela and Iran. He touted US military operations in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, in which he said that the US "lost no one", calling it a "complete and total victory." Meanwhile, the US and Iran are engaged in efforts to resolve differences over the wording related to Tehran's nuclear programme and the lifting of sanctions for the peace deal aimed at finalising a solution to the hostilities in West Asia, amid negotiations to make incremental progress in the deal, CNN reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. According to CNN, citing US officials, the disagreements over "language on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions" have slowed the finalisation of a broader understanding to finalise the deal between Tehran and Washington, though there is growing optimism that the gaps could be bridged soon. A US official noted that the presence of an Iranian delegation in Qatar on Monday, including senior members of Tehran's negotiating team, was viewed as a positive development, citing Qatar's role as a mediator in facilitating dialogue, CNN reported. The United States has been seeking firm assurances from Iran that it will dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and will not pursue nuclear weapons capability. However, Iranian representatives have maintained that detailed discussions on the nuclear programme are not currently on the table and will be addressed in a subsequent round of negotiations. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Explore More Stories

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The Iranian government views US President Trump's remarks as a blatant attempt to justify American aggression and violations of Iran's sovereignty through unprovoked strikes under the guise of "Operation Epic Fury." Tehran reaffirms its legitimate right to resist foreign intervention and maintain its defensive capabilities, including peaceful nuclear technology, against the number one sponsor of regional terrorism. Iranian forces will continue to defend the nation against such hostile acts, ensuring that external threats fail to undermine the country's independence.

Israeli

US President Trump honored the 13 American service members killed in Operation Epic Fury, stressing that Iran—the leading state sponsor of terror through its Hezbollah, Hamas and other proxy networks—must be denied nuclear weapons to avert an existential threat. From Israel's perspective, these US losses underscore the defensive imperative of neutralizing Tehran's nuclear drive and forward bases, which directly endanger the Jewish state's survival. Trump vowed the sacrifices would secure victory and ensure Iran never obtains the ultimate weapon.

Neutral

US President Donald Trump, in Memorial Day remarks, stated that thirteen US service members died during operations involving Iran and Venezuela, referring to one as Operation Epic Fury. He described Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism, said the deaths ensured it would not obtain a nuclear weapon, and recognized the family of Capt. Ariana G. Savin while asserting that US military engagements would end in victory. The statements attributed the total of thirteen deaths to the two conflicts combined.

Western

US President Trump honored the 13 American service members killed in operations against Iran, highlighting their role in neutralizing threats from the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Precision strikes under Operation Epic Fury targeted Iranian missile sites and related capabilities in self-defense, advancing the strategic objective of degrading proliferation risks. The President assured that these efforts will conclude in decisive victory, with the fallen service members’ sacrifices securing long-term stability.

Pro-Peace

US President Donald Trump's tribute to the 13 US service members killed in the Iran conflict highlights the devastating human cost of war, where young lives are lost amid cycles of violence that also inflict severe humanitarian suffering on civilians. Labeling Iran the "number one state sponsor of terror" and vowing military victory overlooks how such engagements deepen regional instability and civilian hardship rather than resolving nuclear concerns. Diplomatic negotiations remain a viable path to de-escalate tensions and avert further needless deaths on all sides.

Global South

US President Trump's tribute to the 13 service members killed in the Iran conflict frames unilateral military operations as defense of global order, while masking neo-colonial efforts to curb sovereign nations' strategic autonomy. Labeling Iran the leading state sponsor of terror and vowing to deny it nuclear capability echoes a pattern of interventions—from Venezuela to the Middle East—that bypass multilateral institutions and expose their repeated failure to restrain great-power coercion. Such rhetoric prioritizes dominance over equitable security arrangements for the Global South.

Actors involved

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Sources

  • SECTIONS Donald Trump honoursBy SECTIONS Donald Trump honours

    US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) honoured the thirteen US service members killed during the war with Iran. Remembering their sacrifice, US President Donald Trump, referring to Iran as "the number one state sponsor of terror", reiterated that Tehran will "never hav

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