'I like that name': Trump explains why he named Iran attack 'Operation Epic Fury'

HEBRON, KENTUCKY: Donald Trump shared the story behind choosing the name "Operation Epic Fury" for the US military action against Iran while speaking at an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, March 11. The president revealed that at least 20 potential names were suggested to him before he finalized the one.

The commander-in-chief said, “They gave me a list of names,” as he went on to quote his aides telling him, “Sir, you could pick the name you like, sir.”

Trump says other name suggestions for Iran attack were making him fall asleep

“I said, 'The name of what?' 'The name of the attack on Iran, sir.' And they gave me, like, 20 names, and I'm like falling asleep. I didn't like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, 'I like that name,’” the 79-year-old added.

The US, along with Israel, launched an attack against Iran on February 28, killing Tehran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with his family members and senior officials.

Seven US service members have been killed in Iran conflict

Since then, to-and-fro attacks have been going on, which have led to the deaths of seven US service members. Out of seven fallen soldiers, six — Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M Marzan, Army Reserve Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Captain Cody Khork, Sgt Noah Tietjens, Sgt Nicole Amor, and Sgt Declan Coady — were posted in Kuwait when they died on March 1 in an airstrike.

The seventh one was Army Sgt Benjamin N Pennington, who died on March 8 after sustaining injuries during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia by Iran. 

A statement issued by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) read, “Last night, a US service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.”

Trump said slain soldiers' families want him to win

Despite the casualties, Trump is not yet ready to put a pause on the war.

During the dignified transfer of the six soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the Republican leader told reporters, “No, not at all. The parents would be upset if I did that. The parents said to me, every one of them, please, sir, win this for my boy, and in one case, a young woman, as you know. Please, win this for my child.”

Trump says 'we got to finish the job right'

Also during the event in Kentucky, Trump told the crowd that he does not want to end the war “early” because “we got to finish the job right. We don't want to go back.”

“Over the past 11 days, our military has virtually destroyed Iran — tough country,” he added.