What They're Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 14, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“. . . [S]omething could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there [Pakistan]. It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal [Gen. Asim Munir] is doing a great job."
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“[European leaders are] doing nothing [about the Strait of Hormuz crisis] except to have meetings. All they do is have meetings. They want to get there, but they just don't know how to do it. They’re a paper tiger.”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“I’m shocked at [Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni]. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong. Giorgia Meloni doesn’t want to help us in the war. I’m shocked. Do people like the fact that your president isn’t doing anything to get the oil [in Iran]? Does she like it? I can’t imagine.”
Vice President JD Vance | Press Interview
“We’ve been extremely clear on our redlines. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. At the same time, if it gives up its nuclear program, it can gain a lot from these negotiations. I hope they choose wisely.”
Vice President JD Vance | Press Interview
“I 100% agree with the president on the fact that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon . . . If they’re willing to engage in economic terrorism on the entire world, what would it mean—what leverage would they have—if they had a nuclear bomb in Tehran?”
“More than 10,000 U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports. During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade and 6 merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz | Press Interview
“What President Trump has done is taken that leverage—taken Iran trying to hold the entire world’s economies hostage—taken that off the table now, with this action [the blockade].”
“Make no mistake, Trump’s illegal war on Iran is continuing.”
“President Trump is standing up to Iran — it’s the single most consequential decision of his presidency. That reality is driving Democrats nuts.”
IRAN
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“The authenticity of civilizations is revealed at the critical junctures of their own history. The positions of Spain, China, Russia, Turkey, Italy, and Egypt in opposing warmongering and the crimes of the Zionist regime are rooted in their cultural and historical standing.”
GULF STATES
Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“We have been clear from the outset that the security of the Strait of Hormuz must not be harmed by any escalatory moves. We reject any attempt to politicize the Strait and call for the immediate resumption of maritime activity without pre-imposed conditions, given its importance to the global economy. We are engaging with regional and international partners toward a solution.”
UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan | X
“The United Arab Emirates condemns the Iranian practices that have obstructed maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and affirms that the continuation of these actions constitutes economic terrorism targeting millions of civilians around the world.”
EAST ASIA
Chinese President Xi Jinping | Call with Crown Prince of Dubai
“We must not allow the world to revert to the law of the jungle.”
EUROPE
French President Emmanuel Macron | X
“Yesterday, I spoke with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as with U.S. President Donald Trump. I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation. It is essential, in particular, that the ceasefire be strictly respected by all parties and that it include Lebanon. It is equally important that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened unconditionally, without restrictions or tolls, as soon as possible. Under these conditions, negotiations should be able to resume quickly, with the support of the key parties concerned. France and the United Kingdom will also host a conference in Paris this Friday, bringing together by videoconference non-belligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow.”
European Council President António Costa | X
“I am in Abu Dhabi ahead of a two-day tour of the UAE, KSA, and Qatar, today and tomorrow. I come with three messages for our Gulf partners: We stand in full solidarity in the face of Iran’s indiscriminate, unjustifiable, and unlawful attacks. We are a reliable partner for the Gulf countries and are ready to contribute. By working together, we can support a comprehensive strategy for lasting peace in the Middle East through negotiation and diplomacy.”
UK Chancelor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves | Press Interview
“This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve. And as a result the Strait of Hormuz is now blocked. . . . We’re not getting involved in the US blockade, we don’t think that is the right approach. All the way through this conflict we have said de-escalate, de-escalate. . . . Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK but also families in the US and around the world.”
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