U.S. President Donald Trump stated on July 20 (local time) that "for every U.S. soldier that Iran kills, they will pay a price many times over."

President Trump made the remarks via his social media platform, Truth Social, and explained, "This directive has been issued to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain, and all military leadership."

The statement appears intended to send a warning to Iran while also addressing deteriorating domestic public opinion as the death toll of U.S. troops has reached 17 since the war with Iran began in late February.

On July 17, two U.S. soldiers stationed in Jordan were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack. On July 18, an additional U.S. soldier died in Iraq while controlling and detonating an unexploded Iranian drone.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)