Trumps red line: Killing American troops could trigger more pain as Iran admits to targeting US bases
Kill an American service member, and we’re back to war, President Trump said Thursday.“If they killed US troops, that would be a good reason [to end the cease-fire],” he told reporters at the White House on Thursday.“If they killed US troops, I think I would do that very quickly.”Trump’s warning comes as Iran appears set on continuing strikes on US troops in the region, as its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday tried to justify Tuesday night strikes on Kuwait that targeted American troops but killed a Kuwaiti civilian and injured dozens of others.“We had previously warned regional countries about the United States using their bases,” he told IRGC-affiliated media.
“Our response is directed at American bases and not the territory of regional countries.”“Many regional countries opposed the use of their airspace and territory against Iran.Unfortunately, the United States used these facilities against us,” he added.Since the Feb.
28 war on Iran began, 13 US service members were killed in Operation Epic Fury.Seven were killed by Iranian strikes on US forces, while six died when their aircraft crashed over Iraq while carrying out refueling operations.But since the US and Iran entered into a shaky April 8 cease-fire, Iran has been unable to kill any US military members — though there have been exchanges of fire.
While the administration has not given the military explicit direction on responding in kind to a fatal attack, it’s been understood that crossing that line may burn up Trump’s remaining patience, a source familiar with US Central Command’s planning told The Post.Trump on Wednesday downplayed the strikes that saw 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones rain down on Kuwait, explaining that “in that part of the world, ‘cease-fire’ is when you’re shooting in a more moderate manner.”But the moment an American service member dies, his calculus would change.Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday vowed that the US woul...