Trump calls US-Iran conflict a 'military exercise' as death toll climbs to 21 troops killed

President Donald Trump told a Georgia rally that the war with Iran is "just a military exercise," even as the Pentagon's updated casualty count stands at 21 American service members dead and 865 wounded. Trump has repeatedly resisted calling the conflict a war, previously labelling it "small potatoes" in September. Two of the newly counted deaths are noncombat — an Army National Guard member who died in Kuwait and a Navy member who took his own life. The White House and Pentagon had not responded to requests for comment by Friday evening.

Over a two-week period, Iran attacked at least 24 commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, with Britain's Royal Navy body UKMTO logging seven further incidents in three days alone.

Trump separately said the US 'may have to' hit Pickaxe Mountain, Iran's nuclear site, while the White House is reportedly preparing a 'mother of all bombs' option.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent blacklisted an Iraqi bank and nine other entities, vowing the 'noose is tightening around Iran's economy' until every financial lifeline is severed.