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Deaths as strikes continue
The Iran war escalated as the U.S. military identified a 4th service member killed in recent days, bringing the total number of U.S. deaths since the start of the war to 18, after American forces launched an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.
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CBS News said the Central Command completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran at about 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with the latest round lasting just over an hour.
The BBC reported Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of U.S. soldiers, saying Tehran would pay "many times over".
The BBC also said Jordan's military shot down three Iranian missiles as sirens sounded across the country warning of incoming fire, while Kuwait's armed forces intercepted Iranian drones.
Political backlash and warnings
Democrats urged Trump to halt the Iran war after the deaths of three U.S. troops, with Chris Murphy accusing Trump of having "frighteningly lost control of this war".
The Guardian reported that Hegseth declared that the U.S. would not be deterred by the casualties, writing: "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."
In a phone call with NewsNation, Trump called the deaths "a very sad thing" and said the service members had died "in service of our country," according to The Guardian.
The Daily Beast said Trump drew condemnation after he compared U.S. troop deaths in his war with Iran to those from past conflicts in a Truth Social post, writing "Iran Military Conflict: 4 months, 18 DEAD."
Costs, diplomacy, and next steps
CBS News said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Iran war has cost about $37.5 billion, while multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News the total cost could be far higher.
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The BBC reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian later said Iran was fighting a "full-scale war" with the US, and that Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries despite a collapse of a ceasefire.
The Guardian said the House and Senate both passed war powers resolutions requiring the president to ask for congressional approval after 60 days of hostilities, aiming to restrain Trump.
The Daily Beast added that Trump initially declared his war on Iran would last "four or five weeks," but it has now stretched into its 21st with no end date in sight.
