Trump honors fallen troops amid growing political divide over Iran war

President Donald Trump honored four American service members killed in the Iran conflict during a dignified transfer ceremony Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump honored four American service members killed in the Iran conflict during a dignified transfer ceremony Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base.

The president met with the families of Sgt. Angel Rampersad, Private First Class Isabella Gonzales, Captain Tyler James Feehan and Staff Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, whose remains were returned to the United States after they were killed in separate attacks over the past week.

Swinton was killed in an Iranian drone incident in Iraq, while Rampersad, Gonzales and Feehan died when Iran attacked their base in Jordan.

At the ceremony, Trump called greeting the nation’s fallen troops “one of the hardest things to do as a president.”

Family friend Deacon Carlos Garcia remembered Rampersad as someone who “stood up for those who couldn’t fight for themselves.”

Later Wednesday, Trump traveled to Georgia, where he recognized Feehan’s parents during a political rally and praised the fallen captain’s service.

The president also said Iran is not yet prepared to reach an agreement, as U.S. forces carried out a 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets.

Trump also warned that the United States would respond forcefully if Iran targets ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including potential strikes on key infrastructure.

The ongoing conflict has become a growing political issue ahead of the midterm elections, with some Republicans expressing concern that rising gas prices and the prolonged war could affect voters.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky argued the United States is “worse off” than it was before the conflict began, while the Trump administration maintains Iran has been weakened and the United States is safer.

As military operations continue, the nation continues to mourn the four service members whose deaths have become the latest reminder of the war’s human cost.