By Jordan Freiman
News Editor
Updated on: March 1, 2026 / 8:21 PM EST / CBS News
President Trump said in a video address Sunday that more American casualties are likely as the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, called Operation Epic Fury, continues “in full force.”
“As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives,” Mr. Trump said in the message posted to social media. “We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more.”
U.S. Central Command announced earlier Sunday that three U.S. service members had been killed during Operation Epic Fury, without specifying where the deaths occurred.
“We’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case, but America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization,” Mr. Trump said.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the president said, “Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved.” He added that the U.S. had “very strong objectives” and suggested Iranian leaders could have acted sooner during ongoing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump also said he was willing to speak with new Iranian leadership. In a phone call earlier Sunday with The Atlantic, he said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
Describing Operation Epic Fury as “one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen,” Mr. Trump said the U.S. and its allies struck “hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems” and “nine ships plus their naval base, all in a matter of literally minutes.”
Mr. Trump said Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, calling him “wretched and vile” and blaming him for the deaths of Americans and many others. Khamenei was killed Saturday along with other senior Iranian officials in a missile strike; a person familiar with the matter told CBS News that intelligence gathered by the CIA and shared with Israel led to the strike.
It is not yet clear who will lead Iran going forward. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that an interim leadership council was established and had begun work. Mr. Trump urged the Iranian people to rise against the government, saying crowds across Iran “could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced,” and asserting that much of the military command had been removed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to ABC News’ “This Week,” said Sunday that nothing has changed in Iran’s military capability since the strikes. He noted that after a June attack by Israel that targeted senior commanders, replacements were quickly installed and retaliation began within hours.
Mr. Trump defended the strikes as necessary to prevent a “radical, blood thirsty terrorist regime” from acquiring nuclear weapons and threatening Americans. “For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan ‘Death to America’ or ‘Death to Israel’ or both. They are the world’s number one state sponsor of terror,” he said.
He urged members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and military police to lay down their arms and accept “full immunity” rather than face death, and he called on “radiant patriots who yearn for freedom” to seize the moment and take back their country, saying “America is with you.”
The president concluded by saying he had fulfilled a promise and that the rest “will be up to you, but we’ll be there to help.” He offered thanks and blessings to American troops and the nation: “Thank you. God bless you, to our incredible warriors, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.”