Iowa Governor Supports U.S. War Against Iran, Mourns Fallen Soldiers

Two Iowa Army Reserve members killed in Iranian strike on Kuwait facility

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed support for the U.S. military action against Iran and mourned the deaths of two Iowa soldiers killed in an Iranian strike on a Kuwait facility on March 1. The two Iowans, Major Jeffrey O'Brien and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, were among six U.S. military members killed in the attack on a tactical operations center in Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba.

Why it matters

The deaths of the two Iowa soldiers are a tragic reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Reynolds' support for the U.S. military action reflects the political divide over the war, with Republicans generally backing the president's use of force while Democrats question the strategy and long-term objectives.

The details

The two Iowa soldiers, Major Jeffrey O'Brien and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines. They were killed along with four other U.S. military members in the Iranian strike on a tactical operations center in Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba on March 1. Reynolds said she has spoken with the families of the fallen soldiers to offer condolences and support.

  • The attack in Kuwait occurred on March 1, 2026.
  • The deaths of the two Iowa National Guard members, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, occurred in Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025.

The players

Gov. Kim Reynolds

The governor of Iowa who expressed support for the U.S. military action against Iran and mourned the deaths of the two Iowa soldiers.

Major Jeffrey O'Brien

A 45-year-old Army Reserve member from Waukee, Iowa who was killed in the Iranian strike on a Kuwait facility.

Sgt. Declan J. Coady

A 20-year-old Army Reserve member from West Des Moines, Iowa who was killed in the Iranian strike on a Kuwait facility.

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

An Iowa National Guard member killed in an attack in Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

An Iowa National Guard member killed in an attack in Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025.

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What they’re saying

“As Iowans, we grieve with them and with families. It is important at this time that we stand united as we lift these two families up in prayer, and, of course, as we continue to pray for the strength and safety of our military at home and abroad.”

— Gov. Kim Reynolds (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“Losing four soldiers from Iowa in the course of three months is a sobering reminder that our freedom is not free. It demands sacrifice and the kind of service that these heroes and their families have made on behalf of all of us, and it's why our support for the men and women who wear our nation's uniform is so important.”

— Gov. Kim Reynolds (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“We are very supportive of those soldiers that are in harm's way. But again, it goes to forever wars. What's the end game? What do we do? And you know, nobody can explain it. There's been different rationales, different explanations. … It's very unfortunate, and obviously we are very supportive of Iowa's soldiers and the families that are in harm's way.”

— House Minority Leader Brian Meyer (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The White House has stated that the current objective of the war is to destroy Iran's weapons capacity, missile production and nuclear weapons program. However, Democratic leaders have questioned the long-term strategy and end game of the conflict.

The takeaway

The deaths of four Iowa soldiers in the span of three months underscores the human toll of the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. While the governor has expressed support for the military action, Democratic leaders have raised concerns about the lack of a clear, sustainable strategy for ending the war.