Head of Iran’s National Security Council Ali Larijani has claimed that more than 500 American soldiers have been killed in recent Iranian attacks. In a statement posted on X Larijani accused US President Donald Trump of dragging the American people into an unjust war against Iran due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reckless actions.

Larijani said Trump should now calculate the cost questioning whether it is still America First or Israel. He further warned that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would carry a heavy price.

Meanwhile US officials told Congress in a closed door briefing that Iranian Shahed drones have become a significant challenge for American air defenses. According to sources cited by CNN Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine acknowledged that the drones pose greater difficulties than expected due to their low altitude and slow speed making interception harder than ballistic missiles.

Some US officials, however, downplayed concerns, noting that Gulf allies are stockpiling interceptor missiles to counter potential threats.