Trump
posted on Truth Social that Iran will 'pay for that killing many times over'
each time it kills an American soldier, directing the message to Secretary of
Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, and military leaders.
The
statement followed the Pentagon's confirmation of the two soldiers' deaths at
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base—first combat losses from enemy fire since March—plus a
third presumed dead and dozens wounded.
Amid escalating U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets and Iran's attacks on ships and allies, at least 17 Americans have died since the ceasefire broke on July 8; Trump will attend a dignified transfer at Dover on Tuesday.