Trump Steps in to Clarify Lutnick's Controversial Remark on 'No US Casualties in Iran War'

U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped in to defuse a controversy following remarks by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick claiming there were no American casualties in the war with Iran.

On the 3rd local time, President Trump posted on his social media that "18 (U.S. service members) were killed in Iran."

He added, "Secretary Lutnick was thinking of Venezuela when he said no one had died."

This was an explanation intended to mean that Lutnick confused the operation last January in which U.S. forces arrested former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which resulted in no fatalities.

In an interview with CNBC the previous day, Secretary Lutnick said, "I think the way the President is dealing with Iran, there are no American fatalities."

Following President Trump's clarification, Secretary Lutnick also admitted on his social media that he "made a slip of the tongue while speaking about artificial intelligence at the Group of 20 (G20) Innovation Meeting yesterday."

He explained, "Eighteen of our service members have died (in the Iran war). I was thinking of the military operation in Venezuela," and added an apology, saying, "I deeply regret the loss felt by the bereaved families."

He further stated, "As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices of our military and service members," adding that he lost his younger brother, a close friend, and colleagues in the 9/11 attacks.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.