Trump just made up 'lie' about what families of fallen soldiers told him about Iran war

President Donald Trump has been criticized after allegedly lying about what families of fallen soldiers told him about the Iran war.

On Wednesday night (April 1), the 79-year-old delivered a 20-minute primetime speech outlining the "core strategic objectives" of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran, which is now in its 34th day.

The conflict has led to casualties and damage in the Middle Eastern region due to the ongoing bombing campaigns.

Trump's Address To The Nation

During his speech, Trump argued that the war was necessary for the security of the free world and announced that US military operations in Iran were "very close" to ending.

He also made the controversial claim that the families of the 13 American service members killed in the war had urged him to "finish the job".

"Tonight, I'm pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion," he said, cited by The Independent. "As we celebrate this progress, we think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives in this fight to prevent our children from ever having to face a nuclear Iran.

"We salute them, and now we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives. And every single one of the people, their loved ones said 'Please, sir, please finish the job,' every one of them. And we are going to finish the job," the president said.

Families of The Fallen Soldiers Speak Out

According to NBC News, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also previously shared this sentiment after privately meeting with the families of six service members.

"What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family. They said, 'Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done,'" Hegseth said.

However, the claim was quickly challenged by some of the families of the fallen soldiers. Charles Simmons, the father of Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, who was killed in Iraq after a refueling aircraft crashed, told the outlet that he did not share the sentiment.

"I can’t speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about," Simmons said.

Iran Responds After Trump's Speech

On Thursday (March 2), Iran issued a strong response to Trump’s recent comments, warning that the conflict will continue until the US faces what it described as "inevitable and permanent humiliation, disgrace, regret, and surrender".

Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari added that the enemy "must pay the price for the aggression they initiated against the honourable and Muslim nation of Iran."

"Expect more crushing and devastating strikes from us in continuation of the severe blows you have already received," the spokesperson said, per CNN.

In addition to this, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, condemned the war as "catastrophic not only for Iran, but for the entire region and beyond."

He also stressed that Tehran does not consider its Gulf neighbours as enemies. "The problem is that the United States and Israel are exploiting their territories to carry out their military aggression against Iran," he continued.

"This is an unjust war that has been imposed on the Iranian people. We have no choice but to fight back strongly," he added.

Featured image credit: Pool / Getty