US President Donald Trump attended a solemn ceremony on Saturday for the return of the first six US soldiers killed during the intensifying conflict with Iran.
The troops, who died last Sunday when a drone struck a key US command center in Kuwait, were brought to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Trump, wearing a white “USA” baseball cap and accompanied by Cabinet members, saluted each flag-draped casket as it was carried from the military transport plane.
The ceremony follows a joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran, which has further heightened regional tensions. Iran’s military, responding to developments in Azerbaijan, demanded that the country “expel the Zionists” to protect regional security.
Tehran has accused Israel of using Azerbaijani territory for intelligence operations, while Azerbaijan confirmed it foiled multiple planned Iranian attacks, including threats to a major oil pipeline, a synagogue, and Jewish community leaders.
Earlier in the week, at least four drones reportedly crashed in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave, including one at an airport. Azerbaijan blamed Tehran for the incidents, but Iran denied the allegations and accused Israel of attempting to provoke conflict.
The tragic loss of US troops underscores the growing volatility in the Middle East as the war with Iran continues to widen, drawing in neighboring countries and straining international alliances.
What you should know
The six US soldiers killed in Kuwait were among the first casualties in the ongoing US-Israel campaign against Iran, which was launched after the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The ceremony at Dover Air Force Base is part of the military’s tradition of honoring fallen service members, highlighting the human cost of the escalating conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran-Azerbaijan tensions add a new layer of complexity, with both countries accusing each other of aggressive operations and intelligence interference.
