WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that military operations against Iran are “going incredibly well,” despite the deaths of six American service members, and warned that the “worst” is yet to come for the Iranian regime. Trump made the remarks during a live address from the White House, approximately 72 hours after the launch of what he termed “Epic Fury.”
“The large-scale operation continues. We destroyed leadership in one hour, we had four weeks planned,” Trump stated during an event honoring war heroes, spanning from World War II to the Vietnam War. Prior to the address, in a series of interviews, Trump claimed the U.S. Was “slaughtering” Iran, adding, “we haven’t started hitting them hard yet, the big wave is coming. It’s coming soon.” Both Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have not ruled out deploying American troops to the region “if necessary,” with Trump stating, “I don’t say like every president, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I say probably we don’t need them or there will be if they’re needed.”
While emphasizing the operation was “very early,” Trump indicated the U.S. Has the “capability to go beyond the four to five weeks” initially projected. He likewise dismissed criticism regarding his shifting strategies, stating, “They say I want to do things quickly due to the fact that then I get bored. I don’t get bored. There’s nothing boring about this. If I got bored, I wouldn’t be here right now.” Trump outlined four objectives: destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, annihilating its navy – claiming ten Iranian ships have already been sunk – preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and disrupting Iran’s support for terrorist organizations abroad.
Trump reiterated his belief that Iran possessed missiles capable of reaching Europe and U.S. Bases in the region, and would soon be able to strike the “beautiful America.” He defended his decision to authorize the attacks, made after discussions in Geneva and communicated to the Pentagon on February 27, as “the best and last chance” to act. “The regime’s ballistic missile program was growing rapidly and exponentially, and that represented a very clear and colossal threat to America and our armed forces stationed abroad,” he said, taking aim at allies who have distanced themselves from the operation.
Trump also revisited his 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, negotiated under President Barack Obama, calling it a “horrible and dangerous” agreement that would have allowed Iran to obtain nuclear weapons three years ago.
The operation has drawn criticism, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted before the announcement of the six American deaths indicating only one in four Americans support war with Iran. Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a vote on war powers, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Defense officials and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, briefed congressional leaders on the operation, with plans to address all members of the House and Senate.
Amidst the escalating conflict, Israel reported attacking “Hezbollah command centers and weapons depots in Beirut,” according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department urged American citizens to “leave immediately” from fifteen Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, citing the attacks by the U.S. And Israel.
Despite Iranian claims of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) stated the waterway “has not been closed” and there is “no evidence of a formal blockade.” Centcom also noted a reduction in Iranian naval presence in the Gulf of Oman, from eleven warships two days prior to zero currently.
The IDF reported destroying the headquarters of Iranian state radio and television in Tehran, alleging it was a “media and propaganda center” for the Iranian regime and supported the destruction of Israel and the development of nuclear weapons. Further IDF strikes targeted objectives in Tehran, with a spokesperson stating that attacks would intensify.
The conflict has prompted a partial closure of Jordan’s airspace, citing regional developments and risk assessment. France has also indicated its willingness to participate in the defense of Gulf countries. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 31 deaths and 149 injuries from Israeli strikes.
The Iranian government has called for mass rallies in Tehran to demonstrate support for the Islamic Republic, following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s strikes.
