US President Donald Trump described the war on Iran as 'small potatoes', citing a US death toll of 18 and telling reporters the US is 'not fighting right now', according to Al Jazeera.
Key facts
- Trump called the Iran war 'small potatoes', according to Al Jazeera.
- He said only 18 Americans had been killed.
- Trump compared the death toll with the Vietnam war.
- He told reporters the US is 'not fighting right now'.
- Al Jazeera reported the comments followed a recent exchange of fire with Iran.
US President Donald Trump has downplayed the war on Iran, describing the conflict as ‘small potatoes’ during remarks to reporters, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump said only 18 Americans had been killed and compared that figure with the US death toll from the Vietnam war, Al Jazeera reported.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the US is ‘not fighting right now’, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet said the comment came despite a recent exchange of fire with Iran.
Al Jazeera reported the remarks across two updates on September 4, 2026, including video footage of Trump making the ‘small potatoes’ comment.
The sources do not provide further detail on the circumstances of the recent exchange of fire or the broader context of hostilities between the US and Iran.
Why it matters
How a US president publicly characterises a conflict can shape public and political support for military action. Trump's description of a war with reported American casualties as 'small potatoes' has drawn attention to how the confrontation with Iran is being framed.
Frequently asked questions
What did Trump say about the Iran war?
Trump called the Iran war 'small potatoes', said only 18 Americans had been killed, and compared the death toll with the Vietnam war, according to Al Jazeera.
How many Americans did Trump say had been killed?
Trump said only 18 Americans had been killed in the Iran war, according to Al Jazeera.
Did Trump say the US is still fighting?
Trump told reporters the US is 'not fighting right now', despite a recent exchange of fire with Iran, Al Jazeera reported.