US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued an apology on 2/9 after mistakenly claiming that no US citizens had died in the conflict with Iran, a statement he made during an interview with CNBC. Lutnick had stated, “I think about how the president is handling the Iran issue, that’s right, no US citizens died in that war. In reality, it’s just an economic strangulation measure that the administration is implementing on a broader scale. I think it will be very effective.”
Lutnick's initial remarks garnered limited public attention. However, President Donald Trump proactively clarified the matter by posting on social media early this morning. Trump's post read, “Secretary Lutnick is thinking of the campaign in Venezuela, where no one died. But in Iran, 18 people have died!”
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US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at the White House on 31/8. Photo: AP |
Approximately 45 minutes later, Secretary Lutnick posted on social media X, explaining his error. He clarified that he had confused the 6-month-long conflict in the Middle East with a several-hour-long raid in Venezuela in January.
“I misspoke. 18 US service members have died, and I am deeply saddened. I sincerely apologize to the families for the loss they have endured. At that time, I was thinking of the military operation in Venezuela, where no service members died,” the US commerce secretary stated in his apology.
In reality, at least 18 US service members have died and more than 750 have been injured since the country launched its offensive against Iran in late February.
President Trump’s administration is facing increasing scrutiny over how it announces and refers to service member casualties in the Middle East conflict. This scrutiny intensified after figures for 4 deaths and dozens of injuries reportedly disappeared from a consolidated list on the Pentagon’s website in July.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously criticized media reporting on service member deaths. “When a few drones breach defenses or tragic incidents occur, the news immediately appears on the front page,” he remarked during a press conference in March.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, CNN)
