Donald Trump to Honour Fallen Troops at Dover Air Force Base; Iran Accuses US of War Crime

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will attend the dignified transfer ceremony for six US soldiers killed in Kuwait during retaliatory strikes by Iran across the Gulf following recent joint US-Israeli military operations.

In a statement released late Friday on Truth Social, Trump said he would personally pay tribute to the fallen service members.

The White House had earlier outlined the arrangements for the solemn event. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that the service members would receive a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, with the president in attendance.

The ceremony comes as tensions continue to escalate across West Asia.

Who are the six US soldiers killed in the Kuwait strike at Shuaiba Port?

The US Army has identified the six personnel killed during the sudden strike on Shuaiba Port in Kuwait, according to a report by The Hill.

The fallen soldiers include Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45; Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert M. Marzan, 54; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor; Capt. Cody Khork; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens; and Sgt. Declan Coady.

Multiple outlets reported that the personnel were positioned inside a makeshift office space when the attack occurred and that there was no apparent warning before Tehran launched the strike.

The circumstances surrounding the attack are currently under investigation.

Providing details about the location, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said on X that the site was a "secure facility fortified with 6-foot walls," highlighting the defensive measures in place at the time of the incident.

Amid the fallout from the attack, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticised the media's portrayal of the deaths.

Why has Iran accused the United States of committing a war crime at the United Nations?

He claimed that various organisations were attempting to make Trump "look bad" and suggested that the true extent of Iran's weapons capabilities was being overlooked.

"We've taken control of Iran's airspace and waterways without boots on the ground," Hegseth said.

"We control their fate. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen it's front page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality," he added.

The developments come amid growing diplomatic tensions at the United Nations, where Iran has accused the United States of committing a war crime at sea.

Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, alleged that a US attack sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena while it was on a goodwill visit with the Indian Navy in international waters.

Speaking at a stakeout at UN Headquarters, Iravani said, "United States committed a dangerous act of aggression at sea, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran's shore.”

Why did Iran’s UN envoy Amir-Saeid Iravani call the alleged US attack on IRIS Dena a war crime?

“The Iranian frigate Dena which was on the goodwill visit and upon invitation was with the Indian Navy and carrying around 130 sailors was attacked in international waters," Iravani said.

"Nearly 100 Iranian sailors were martyred. The US committed a war crime. This heinous and unlawful attack constitute a grave violation of the law and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation,” Iravani added.

He urged the UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

"We reiterate our call on the Security Council and Secretary General to condemn the aggression, war crimes, and crime against humanity that are being committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against our people,” he said.

“To force the aggressor to put an immediate end to all crimes and military attack against Iran and against civilian and civilian infrastructure. To ensure accountability for these grave violation of international humanitarian law and war crimes," Iravani said.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi condemned US strikes and warned that Iran's response would target American bases.

In a post on X, Araghchi said the attacks were launched from the territory of regional allies.

"Iran and the Arab brothers have lived side by side for centuries in a spirit of affection, friendship, and mutual respect. The American aggressors launch from the lands of our Arab friends to target children and the innocent," Araghchi said.

As for Iran's response, it will inevitably be directed at the bases of the United States and its institutions," he added.

His remarks came amid international outrage following strikes that hit Minab Girls' Primary School in Iran's Hormozgan province, killing more than 160 people and injuring another 100.

A report by CNN said analysis suggested the United States was likely responsible for the deadly strike on the elementary school.

(With inputs from ANI)