What They're Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 12, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“[T]he meeting [between American and Iranian negotiators] went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz. At some point, we will reach an ‘ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT’ basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, ‘There may be a mine out there somewhere,’ that nobody knows about but them. THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted. I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! . . . The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully ‘LOCKED AND LOADED,’ and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!”
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“Iran promised to open the Strait of Hormuz, and they knowingly failed to do so. This caused anxiety, dislocation, and pain to many people and Countries throughout the World. They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance? There is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran, and what’s left of their ‘Leaders,’ but we are beyond all of that. As they promised, they better begin the process of getting this INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY OPEN AND FAST! . . . The meeting with Iran began early in the morning, and lasted throughout the night — Close to 20 hours. I could go into great detail, and talk about much that has been gotten but, there is only one thing that matters — IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS! In many ways, the points that were agreed to are better than us continuing our Military Operations to conclusion, but all of those points don’t matter compared to allowing Nuclear Power to be in the hands of such volatile, difficult, unpredictable people.”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“[The Iranian negotiators] haven’t left the bargaining table. I predict they come back, and they give us everything we want—and I told my people, I want everything. I don't want 90%, I don't want 95%. I told them, I want everything. They have no cards.”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“I could take out Iran in one day... in one hour. I could have their entire energy, everything, every one of their power-generating plants, which is a big deal. I hate to do it, because if you do it, it takes ten years to build . . . they’ll never be able to rebuild it.”
Vice President JD Vance | Remarks to Reporters
“We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms. I think that we were quite flexible. We were quite accommodating. The president told us, you need to come here in good faith and make your best effort to get a deal. We did that and unfortunately we weren’t able to make any headway.”
Vice President JD Vance | Remarks to Reporters
“[T]he simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon. . . . We haven’t seen that yet. We hope that we will.”
Vice President JD Vance | Remarks to Reporters
“We leave here [Pakistan] with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“This is what having no clue what you’re doing looks like” (referring to President Trump’s decision to blockade the Strait of Hormuz).
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner | X
“Now that negotiations have stalled out . . . what next? What’s Trump’s plan to end this forever war?”
“Let it be said that @POTUS and his team went the extra mile to find a peaceful solution regarding Iran’s — the largest state sponsor of terrorism — nuclear ambitions and beyond. There is no such thing as a moderate layer to the regime leadership. They are intent on acquiring a nuclear weapon over time, and I believe if they had one, they would use it. President Trump’s decision to blockade the strait and regain control of international waterways from Iran is the right move. It is time to finish the job when it comes to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program, and their continued support for terrorist proxies.”
“So now WE are closing the Strait. This is - just in case you were wondering - as dumb as it sounds. It’s a classic case of one tragic mistake begetting another because of out of control hubris and pride.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“One of the things we see here is that we have essentially changed the face of the Middle East. Our enemies – Iran and the Axis of Evil – came to destroy us, and now they are fighting simply for their own survival.”
IRAN
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“Before the negotiations, I emphasized that we have the necessary good faith and will, but due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side. My colleagues on the Iranian delegation Minaab168 raised forward-looking initiatives, but the opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations. America has understood our logic and principles, and now it's time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not?”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found. I commend the members of the negotiating team, especially my dear brother [Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher] Qalibaf, and say ‘God gives you strength.’”
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei | X
“Diplomacy for us is the continuation of the sacred jihad of the defenders of the Iranian land. We have not forgotten and will not forget the experiences of America's breaches of promise and malicious acts. Just as we will not forgive the heinous crimes committed by them and the Zionist regime during the course of the second and third imposed wars. . . . The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran's legitimate rights and interests.”
GULF STATES
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi | X
“When I met Vice President Vance just hours before the war began, I formed an impression that both he and the President had a genuine and strong preference to avoid the entanglements of war. So I urge that the ceasefire be extended and talks continue. Success may require everyone to make painful concessions, but this is nothing as compared to the pain of failure and war.”
PAKISTAN
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar | Remarks
“We hope that the two sides [the U.S. and the Iranian regime] continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond. It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire.”
VATICAN CITY
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”
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