Four American service members slain in Iranian strikes will be brought back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where President Donald Trump and other officials plan to take part in the solemn transfer on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump points at the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by the Qatari government, before boarding the plane, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, July 1, 2026.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Evan Vucci)

ByREUTERS

JULY 22, 2026 13:05

US President Donald Trump will join a Wednesday ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to receive the remains of four service members who died during Iranian attacks across the Middle East.

The event involves a dignified transfer of flag-draped caskets and occurs as public discontent grows over the ongoing campaign against Iran.

So far the conflict has required at least 37.5 billion dollars in taxpayer funds, claimed 18 American lives, wounded more than 450 troops, and resulted in thousands of Iranian casualties.

Lawmakers from both parties have questioned the operation, which has driven up global oil prices and lacks a clear end date. Since fighting began in February, Trump has outlined shifting goals for the effort.

The president will head to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to participate in the ceremony.

One hundred US service members injured in Iran

During periods of conflict, presidents, vice presidents, and other dignitaries often attend these respectful transfer rites at Dover, which houses the main US military mortuary.

The three troops killed by an Iranian missile that struck their barracks at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday were First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19. All belonged to US Army air defense units.

Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, died Sunday in a separate event near Erbil, Iraq, while handling a controlled detonation of an attack drone.

The Pentagon reported Monday that 100 service members have sustained injuries since July 7, with 96 percent already back on duty.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found that four in five Americans anticipate the war with Iran will continue for a long time. Only 37 percent of those polled supported US military strikes against Iran.

Trump's approval rating has remained near historic lows since the conflict started, and Republican advisers caution that higher living expenses have offset any gains from his tax reductions.

Increased fuel costs and broader economic pressures present political challenges for Trump's Republican Party before November's midterm elections, when the party could lose its House majority and possibly Senate control.