President Trump warned the ongoing joint US-Israeli war against Iran could stretch on for “four weeks or so” — as he mourned the three American service members killed in the conflict and said there could be more deaths.
Trump told Daily Mail Sunday that the campaign was “going as per planned” but said the strikes would continue for many more days.
“It’s always been a four week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four week process so – as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks, or less,” he said.
The comments came as Israel and the US both continued to bombard Iran Sunday with the goal of obliterating the country’s military military capabilities — and particularly its missile stockpiles so it can no longer attack the Jewish state or other American interests in the region.
In a video address posted on his Truth Social Sunday evening, he paid tribute to the Americans who have died.
“As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” he said.
“Even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives, we pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen.”
He added: “Sadly there will likely be more before it ends,” he said. “That’s the way it is. Likely be more. But we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”
Trump urged members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to surrender and allow the Iranian people to take over.
“I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death,” Trump said.
“It will be certain death. It won’t be pretty.”
He also urged Iranians in the street to rise up.
“Be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country. America is with you,” he said.
Follow The Post’s live coverage of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran
Iran lashed out Sunday at both Israel and Gulf states. Nine people were killed in a strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel outside Jerusalem.
One person was killed and several injured after shrapnel hit the airports at Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emarites.
The US military confirmed three American service members were killed and five were seriously wounded in Operation Epic Fury.
They are the first US troops killed in major military actions in Trump’s second term. His previous strike on Iran and the capture of Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro were both undertaken without the loss of American life.
US CENTCOM, which is responsible for overseeing American military efforts in the Middle East and parts of Central Asia, said that major combat operations “continue and our response effort is ongoing.”
Follow The Post’s coverage of the United States’ airstrikes on Iran:
Pentagon officials said they were withholding the identities of the soldiers killed in action until 24 hours after their families have been notified.
It was not immediately clear where the service members were killed.
Iran has attacked US bases across the Middle East in response to the strikes that wiped out much of the Iranian leadership — including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump told the Daily Mail Iran was seeking talks now. “They want to, they want to talk, but I said you should have talked last week not this week,” he said.
The president said he had spoken Sunday with leaders in the region including the heads of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan.
Trump said he would meet the families of the slain troops “at the appropriate time.”
