President Donald Trump on Sunday braced Americans for the likelihood of more US service members being killed in the country's Iran operation.

Three service members have died since the series of joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began overnight Friday.

“They’re great people,” Trump said in a phone interview with the Daily Mail about those who have so far died. “We expect that to happen, unfortunately. Could happen continuous – it could happen again.”

He also told the British tabloid that he will meet with the victims' family members “at the appropriate time” and that he might fly to Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware, for the solemn dignified transfer of the troops’ remains, or invite their families to the White House. 

Trump on Sunday also told NBC News: "We have three, but we expect casualties, but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”

He returned to the White House on Sunday evening, after a stay at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.