Trump’s Red Line Against Iran Killing U.S. Troops Isn’t Anything New

BusinessAerospace & DefenseTrump’s Red Line Against Iran Killing U.S. Troops Isn’t Anything NewByPaul Iddon,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist focused on Middle East affairs.Follow AuthorJun 05, 2026, 02:24pm EDTA U.S. Army carry team moves the flagged-draped coffins containing the remains of the US soldiers killed in the retaliatory Iranian strike on Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba, in Dover, Delaware, United States on March 7, 2026. U.S. Army Reserve Members Maj. Jeffrey OâBrien, Capt. Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, and Sgt. Declan Coady, were killed in the retaliatory Iranian strike on Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump has said that if post-ceasefire Iranian attacks in the Middle East kill any U.S. troops, that would cross a red line and possibly reignite the war against Tehran. His statement is an apt reminder that, for at least six years now, the U.S. has largely avoided escalating when Iranian or Iran-allied militias or proxies injured U.S. troops in past attacks. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump left open the possibility that he may resume the war with Iran if Tehran kills U.S. troops, stating in response to a question, “Yeah, if they killed U.S. troops, I think I would do that very quickly.” While Trump appeared to be characteristically talking off the cuff, his answer reflects how the U.S. has, in many cases, dealt with Iranian and Iranian proxy attacks on its troops for at least six years now. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran launched on February 28 has been halted since a fragile ceasefire took effect on April 8. While Iranian and militia proxy attacks against U.S. bases and the Arab Gulf allies that host them have intermittently continued since then, none have killed U.S. troo...