Trump says families of soldiers killed in Iran war asked him to 'win this for my child'

Trump said grieving parents of troops killed in a Kuwait drone strike urged him to keep pushing the war effort as the conflict with Iran intensifies
UPDATED MAR 9, 2026
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the dignified transfer of US service members killed in a March 1 drone strike in Kuwait (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the dignified transfer of US service members killed in a March 1 drone strike in Kuwait (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump met with the families of the fallen US service members who were killed on March 1 in in Kuwait airstrike. The soldiers who lost their lives were 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.

Trump, along with other top officials, was present at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware with the soldiers’ families as their bodies were brought home. Despite the grieving environment, the Republican leader said the families urged him to continue the war effort.

DOVER, DELAWARE - MARCH 07: U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and first lady Melania Trump stand at attention as a U.S. Army carry team moves a flagged-draped transfer case containing the remains of Maj. Jeffery R. O'Brien at Dover Air Force Base March 07, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Six soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action by an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Port Shuabia, Kuwait during
President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, and first lady Melania Trump stood at attention during the dignified transfer of Maj Jeffrey R O'Brien at Dover Air Force Base on March 7, 2026 (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Trump claims fallen soldiers' families want him to not stop war

When asked about the possibility of putting a pause to the war, he said, “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.”

ABC News reporter Mary Bruce wrote on X that she asked Trump whether witnessing the dignified transfers of six Americans killed in the war made him reconsider the operation.



“I asked Trump if witnessing the dignified transfers of six Americans killed in this war gave him any pause about this operation,” Bruce wrote. “He told me ‘not at all’ and that all of the families told him ‘please, win this for my child.’”

About the transfer event, Trump said, “It was a beautiful event. It was a beautiful, beautiful event, where I met the parents. They were devastated but proud.”

He also noted that he’s not sure how long the war will go on. He, however, added, “All I can say is we are ahead of schedule both in terms of lethality and in terms of time.”

Trump says rising gasoline prices a 'glitch'

DOVER, DELAWARE - MARCH 07: (L-R) U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance salute as a U.S. Army carry team moves a flagged-draped transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor at Dover Air Force Base March 07, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Six soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action by an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Port Shuabia, Kuwait during
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance saluted as the remains of Sgt 1st Class Nicole M Amor were transferred at Dover Air Force Base on March 7, 2026 (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

This came after last week when Trump was pressed about rising gasoline prices.

The 79-year-old claimed, “I think it’s fine. It’s a little glitch. We had to take this detour. I knew exactly what was going to happen with the detour. But the nice part is we sank 44 of their ships, which is their entire navy.”

“We’ve knocked out their entire AirForce. We’ve knocked out all of their communications, telecommunications. Their anti-aircraft systems are gone. They have absolutely no defense. All they have is talk,” Trump asserted.

Another US soldier's life claimed in Iran war

Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 8, United States Central Command shared in a social media post that another US soldier died after sustaining injuries during an attack in Saudi Arabia.

“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,” the statement shared on X read.



It added, “This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.”

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