Trump claims fallen soldiers backed his Iran mission: 'We can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump said Wednesday, July 22, that US service members killed during the Iran war had told him directly that Tehran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He made the remarks before traveling to Dover Air Force Base to attend the dignified transfer of four fallen soldiers.

Trump defended the military operation in Iran while claiming that all of the fallen service members had supported his stance on preventing Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities.

Four fallen soldiers honored at Dover Air Force Base

"They said, and all of them said very strongly, 'We can't let, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. They won't have a nuclear weapon,'" Trump told reporters outside Marine One.

The president described the ceremony as "one of the hardest things to do as a president," adding, "We're going to Dover... to honor our heroes, and they are indeed great heroes, actually."

When asked by The Independent how he knew the fallen service members' views on Iran, a White House spokesperson referred back to Trump's comments rather than providing additional details.

"They said, and all of them said very strongly, 'We can't let, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. They won't have a nuclear weapon,'" the president continued.

"So, we're going to honor them, and one of the hardest things to do, for me, it's one of the hardest things to do as a president, but has to be done."

Among those honored Wednesday were three US service members killed in an Iranian missile strike in Jordan last Friday and a fourth soldier killed by an Iranian drone attack in Iraq on Sunday.

The Pentagon identified the fallen soldiers as Tyler James Feehan, 25; Isabella Gonzales, 19; Angel S. Rampersad, 28; and Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30.

Trump attends third dignified transfer during Iran war

The president attended the solemn ceremony alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump was seen saluting as flag-draped caskets were carried past. It was his third time attending a dignified transfer since the war began in late February.

Trump's remarks came a day after he posted a Truth Social graphic comparing US deaths in the current conflict with casualties from previous American wars. The graphic listed "Iran Military Conflict... 18 DEAD" alongside higher tolls from the Vietnam and Korean wars, with the caption "These are the real facts. REPORT THEM!"

The post drew criticism from figures including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who argued that the comparison showed insufficient respect for the fallen troops.

Trump offers message to families of fallen troops

When asked what he would say to the families of the fallen service members, Trump said they were loved and remembered.

"All I'm going to say is, we love you. We love your child, and that's what they are to them. They're their children. There's no games, no nothing. That's their child. And all you can do is throw out your heart," Trump said before boarding Air Force One.

Later Wednesday in Marietta, Georgia, Trump introduced the family of Army 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan during an event at Wheeler High School. Feehan was among the soldiers killed in attacks in Jordan, and Trump said his family traveled with him on Air Force One after the Dover ceremony.

Wednesday's ceremony marked the third dignified transfer Trump had attended since the start of the Iran war.