Commerce Secretary Apologizes for Understating U.S. Casualties in Iran Conflict
WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (Reuters) – United States trade secretary Howard Lutnick apologized on Thursday for stating that no Americans were killed in the Iran‑related conflict, admitting that eighteen service members have perished and expressing grief for their families. He clarified that the error arose because he was focusing on a Venezuelan military operation when the misinformation was released.
“I misspoke. Eighteen members of our military have died, and my heart breaks for their families,” Lutnick said on X.
“Lutnick made the comments during an interview with CNBC on Wednesday in which Venezuela did not come up.”
“I think the way the president is playing Iran…There haven’t been American deaths. It’s really just an economic choke‑out, which the administration is now executing more broadly, and I think it’ll be very effective,” Lutnick told CNBC.
“Moments before Lutnick’s apology, Trump defended the commerce secretary on Truth Social.”
“Sec. Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind when he said nobody was killed. 18 people were killed in Iran!” Trump wrote.
To date, the U.S. has reported eighteen military personnel killed and more than 750 wounded.
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