Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday credited the U.S. Space Force for what he described as a “decisive success” in a recent military campaign in Iran, praising what he called the “uncommon bravery and precision” of personnel involved in the operation.
Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Trump said the Space Force’s role in coordinating satellite-based surveillance and communications “frankly put the other services to shame."
According to defense officials, the operation—conducted in coordination with U.S. Central Command—focused on disrupting Iranian drone networks and missile launch facilities. While the Pentagon has not disclosed specifics, early reports suggest that the Space Force’s orbital assets provided real-time reconnaissance that guided U.S. cyber and air operations.
In his remarks, Trump highlighted the “strategic edge” offered by space-based warfighters. “When I founded the Space Force, people laughed,” he said. “Now everyone sees why it was the smartest move of my presidency.” The comments come amid a broader debate over the growing militarization of space and the balance of power among U.S. armed services.
The administration faces questions from Congress over the scope of the Iran campaign and the extent of civilian oversight in such operations. Lawmakers from both parties have requested a classified briefing from the Department of Defense later this week.
Defense experts note that the Space Force, established in 2019 as the newest branch of the U.S. military, has increasingly moved from support roles into active theaters of operation. “If these reports are accurate, this would mark the first time Space Force capabilities have directly participated in combat,” said Dr. Janet Morales, a defense analyst at RAND Corporation.
For now, the Pentagon has maintained a cautious stance, confirming only that “multi-domain coordination” played a role in recent regional stability efforts. Space Force casualty figures have been released.
Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
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