Trump Threatens Iran Will 'Pay Heavily' if More US Troops Killed

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will pay a heavy price if any more American soldiers are killed amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East region. “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay many times over for that action,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social on Monday. Trump said the directive had been conveyed to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine, and all US military leadership. The statement came as the US military continued to launch air strikes into a number of areas in Iran, mostly targeting the country’s southern region. Tehran retaliated by launching attacks targeting facilities and bases it claimed were used by the US military in several countries in the region. The Pentagon confirmed three deaths of US military personnel over the weekend, consisting of two soldiers at a military base in Jordan and another soldier in northern Iraq. The exchange of fire between the two countries occurred despite the United States and Iran having signed a memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan last June to end the conflict and pave the way for a sustainable peace agreement. According to a CNN report, the US and Iran are considering a 10-day ceasefire to halt hostilities and encourage the resumption of negotiations. The proposal also includes the lifting of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. The White House stated that diplomatic efforts were ongoing alongside measures to hold Iran accountable for the deaths of US military personnel. “At this time, President Trump is focused on ensuring Iran is held accountable for violations of the memorandum of understanding and the continued acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz,” a US official said. The official added that the Trump administration would also hold Iran responsible for the recent deaths of US soldiers. “These devastating blows will continue until the president decides otherwise, but talks between our countries are continuing,” he said.