Iowa Governor Stands by US War with Iran Despite Soldier Deaths

Reynolds says mission was 'the right thing to do' despite loss of four Iowa soldiers since December

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed support for the U.S. war with Iran, despite the deaths of four soldiers from her state since December, including two who were killed in a drone strike in Kuwait last weekend. Reynolds said she believes the mission was justified, even as she lamented the 'sacrifice' of the fallen soldiers and spoke with their grieving families.

Why it matters

The governor's comments highlight the difficult political and emotional calculus that leaders must navigate when American troops are killed in overseas conflicts. Reynolds' stance reflects a broader debate over the justification for the war with Iran and the human toll it has taken, especially on smaller states like Iowa that have disproportionately contributed soldiers to the fight.

The details

The four Iowa soldiers killed since December were part of the Army Reserves and National Guard units providing logistical support. Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady died in the Kuwait drone strike, while Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard were killed in Syria. Reynolds said she has spoken with the families of the fallen and expressed the state's grief, even as she defended the decision to go to war with Iran.

  • In December, two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed in Syria.
  • Last weekend, two Iowa Army Reservists were killed in a drone strike in Kuwait.

The players

Kim Reynolds

The Republican governor of Iowa who expressed support for the U.S. war with Iran despite the deaths of four soldiers from her state.

Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien

A 45-year-old Iowa Army Reservist killed in the drone strike in Kuwait.

Sgt. Declan Coady

A 20-year-old Iowa Army Reservist killed in the drone strike in Kuwait.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

A 25-year-old Iowa National Guard soldier killed in Syria in December.

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

A 29-year-old Iowa National Guard soldier killed in Syria in December.

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What they’re saying

“I believe in the mission right now. I think it was the right thing to do. Just look at what Iran has done over the last several years. Hopefully we're in and out. I believe that's the goal of this administration.”

— Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (wbal.com)

“As you can imagine, they're heartbroken and as Iowans, we grieve with them.”

— Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (wbal.com)

“His quiet strength and expertise protected countless systems and left a lasting impact on everyone privileged to work with him.”

— Aaron Warner, CEO, ProCircular (wbal.com)

What’s next

The military has not yet released details on the specific circumstances of the drone strike in Kuwait that killed the two Iowa soldiers.

The takeaway

Governor Reynolds' comments reflect the difficult balance political leaders must strike between supporting military action and acknowledging the human toll it takes, especially on smaller states that contribute disproportionately to the nation's armed forces.