Iran Claims US Soldiers Detained, Trump Denies

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply following the outbreak of hostilities last week. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, claimed that several American soldiers had been captured by Iranian forces. The statement, posted on the microblogging site X on Saturday, did not specify the number of personnel allegedly detained.

Larijani wrote, “I have been informed that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner. However, the Americans claim these soldiers were killed in action. Despite their futile attempts, the truth cannot be hidden for long.”

The claim was promptly rejected by U.S. military authorities. Responding to Larijani’s statement, U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins asserted, “The Iranian regime is doing everything possible to spread falsehoods and deception. This is yet another clear example.” A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) echoed this sentiment in a statement to Al Jazeera Arabic, describing the detention allegations as “another example of Iranian misinformation and deception.”

Since 28 February, when hostilities reportedly began following a joint U.S.–Israeli operation, at least six U.S. service members have been killed. The Trump administration has designated the military campaign “Operation Epic Fury.” According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the conflict has resulted in approximately 1,332 fatalities, including nearly 180 children, many of whom died in an attack on a school in the southeastern city of Minab. The New York Times has suggested that U.S. forces were responsible for the school strike, although President Donald Trump has blamed Iran.

During a flight on Air Force One, Trump told reporters, “Based on what I have seen, I can say that this action was carried out by Iran.” He spent the day travelling between his Florida resort and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the bodies of the deceased soldiers were returned with full honours.

The six soldiers killed in a drone attack on 1 March at a port in Kuwait were Declan Cody, Jeffrey O’Brien, Cody Khorak, Noah Titzens, Nicole Amor, and Robert Marjan.

Trump described the repatriation ceremony as “an extremely sad day. I am grateful we were able to pay our respects. It is difficult, it is a hard situation.” Despite the tragedy, he expressed optimism about the campaign, calling its progress “proper and encouraging” and claiming, “We are winning by a large margin and have destroyed their entire malign empire.”

Trump has not ruled out further U.S. troop deployments to Iran. In an interview with the New York Post, he refrained from offering a definitive guarantee that no boots would be placed on the ground, stating, “All presidents say no boots will be on the ground. I’m not saying that.”

Concerns over potential casualties remain. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials have warned that American fatalities could rise. In a call with NBC News, Trump estimated that the conflict could last four to five weeks.

The campaign has sparked divisions among Trump’s “Make America Great Again” supporters. Critics have reminded the public that Trump campaigned on avoiding “endless wars,” while conservative media figures like Megyn Kelly have expressed disbelief over renewed military involvement. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned the administration for betraying its “America First” commitments, emphasising that no foreign wars or regime changes should take precedence over U.S. citizens.

Recent polling by NPR, PBS, and Marist Institute shows 56% of 1,591 adults oppose the conflict. Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett remarked, “Every poll in the past week reflects widespread unpopularity. Most Americans believe the costs and potential casualties make continuing this war untenable.”

The detention claims, rising fatalities, and domestic political fallout have created a complex and volatile situation, leaving the U.S. government navigating both international and domestic pressures.