What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 15, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“We’ve beaten them militarily, totally. I think [the war is] close to over, I view it as very close to over . . . If I pulled up stakes right now it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country, and we’re not finished. . . . We’ll see what happens, I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“I’ve been saying they [the Iranian regime] can’t have nuclear weapons” he said, “so I don’t like the 20 years [referring to reports that U.S. negotiators proposed a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment by Iran]. . . . I don’t want them [the regime] to feel like they have a win [through a U.S. concession on enrichment].”
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“We’ve had no help—ZERO—from NATO. We’re there for them, they’re not there for us. . . . [I]f they’re not going to be with us on Iran, they’re not going to be with us on a much bigger subject than Iran.”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“How is the relationship [between the U.S. and the UK]? It’s the relationship where: when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there. When we didn’t need them, they were not there. And they still aren’t there.”
Vice President JD Vance | Speech
“[President Trump] doesn’t want to make, like, a small deal. He wants to make the grand bargain. . . . That’s the trade that he’s offering . . . [that] if you guys [the Iranian regime] commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive. We’re going to make it economically prosperous, and we’re going to invite the Iranian people into the world economy in a way they haven’t been in my entire life.”
Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper | Statement
“A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. An estimated 90% of Iran's economy is fueled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”
“After implementing the blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports, American forces halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea. U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen remain positioned and ready to act against any vessels seeking to violate the blockade.”
“During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces. Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area.”
“U.S. naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a U.S. blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | Letter to the Governments of China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Oman
“Iran processed at least $9 billion through U.S. correspondent accounts in 2024 using a series of front companies, most notably in Hong Kong and the UA[E], and it continues to do so. I am writing to alert you that Treasury believes that a portion of these transactions, as well as additional transactions after 2024, were processed from banks you supervise through their U.S correspondents on behalf of direct customers linked to Iran. The Treasury Department encourages you to work with banks in your jurisdiction to identify any Iran-related financial activity, including through front companies and other evasive tactics, and immediately cease such activity in light of the significant illicit finance risks this activity poses.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | Comments to Journalists
“So [the Chinese government are] not going to be able to get their [Iran’s] oil. They can get oil. Not Iranian oil.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | Press Release
“Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people. Under President Trump’s leadership, Treasury will continue to cut off Iran’s illicit smuggling and terror proxy networks. Financial institutions should be on notice that Treasury will leverage all tools and authorities, including secondary sanctions, against those that continue to support Tehran’s terrorist activities.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | Press Briefing
“One of the what may prove to be fatal mistakes that the Iranians made was bombing their [Gulf Cooperation Council] neighbors, who are now willing to be much more transparent in terms of the funds that are held within their banking systems. We have pushed out to them the request that we want to freeze more funds of the leadership of the IRGC.”
Department of the Treasury | X
“Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury, maintaining maximum pressure on Iran. Financial institutions should be on notice that the department is leveraging the full range of available tools and authorities and is prepared to deploy secondary sanctions against foreign financial institutions that continue to support Iran’s activities. The short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed.”
Department of the Treasury | X
“Today, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned an oil smuggling network run by Iranian shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of now-deceased senior Iranian security official Ali Shamkhani. OFAC today also sanctioned targets related to a complex Hizballah gold scheme that ultimately benefits Iran’s military.”
“If Iran chooses the path of economic strangulation by blockade, the world will pass Iran by. New energy routes will be established, new supply chains established. President Trump has put America into a win-win posture.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“Privately? Republicans are petrified of Trump’s war. Publicly? Silence. In fact, Republicans just voted AGAINST our War Powers Resolution to end Trump’s Iran war. @SenateDems will keep forcing these votes and putting Republicans on the record – stand with us and end the war, or cave to Trump and continue it.”
“I am deeply concerned that the President’s decision to wage a reckless war on Iran will wreak havoc on energy markets for the foreseeable future—driving up energy costs for Americans across the country and causing global economic turmoil. The Administration dismissed or failed to fully appreciate the impact the closure of the Strait would have on domestic energy and household costs when it rushed into war with Iran and lacks a coherent strategy to end the war and stabilize domestic and global energy markets.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen | X
“President Trump has completely failed to achieve any of the key goals he laid out in his war against Iran. Now the American people are paying the price.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner | X
“I just voted AGAIN to rein in Trump’s costly, deadly war in Iran… Republicans blocked it. We will keep fighting to end this horrible forever war.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“Our American friends are updating us constantly on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits. It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario.”
Israel Defense Forces | IDF Website
In recent weeks, as IDF operations have expanded across Iran, a clearer picture has begun to emerge of how the Iranian regime is operating under sustained military pressure. One of the most alarming developments is the recruitment of minors into the Basij, a paramilitary force operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This is not speculation. It is an openly declared policy. . . . This practice constitutes a direct violation of international law. It also reflects a broader pattern: a willingness by the Iranian regime to erase the distinction between civilian and combatant when it serves its strategic interests.
IRAN
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Commander Ali Abdollahi | Remarks
“Should the aggressive and terrorist United States continues its illegal action of naval blockade in the region and creates insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers, this action by the US will be the precursor to violating the ceasefire, and the powerful Iranian armed forces will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea.”
Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i | X
“The judiciary, in handling the cases of the enemies’ collaborators, is on a war footing until further notice.”
Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i | X
“Now that the murderous Zionists have once again barbarically assaulted the oppressed people of Lebanon, the people and resistance of Lebanon are looking to the assistance of Muslim nations. Once again, we support the ‘Empathetic Iran’ campaign in aiding the resilient people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“Delighted to welcome [Pakistani] Field Marshal [Asim] Munir to Iran. Expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong—and shared.”
Parliament Deputy Speaker Ali Nikzad | Remarks on Iranian State TV
“The Islamic republic was ready, to prove its good faith, to dilute—not hand over—450kg of enriched uranium. . . . A consortium was to be formed for dilution, with the participation of Iran, the United States and Saudi Arabia, but they backed out of this agreement.”
EUROPE
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | Remarks to Parliament
“My position on Iran has been clear from the start, we’re not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war, a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course and that pressure included what happened last night. I’m not going to change my mind, I’m not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so. I know where I stand.”
European Council President António Costa | X
“It is crucial that the momentum of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement is maintained and that all parties engage in good faith to achieve a sustainable, comprehensive agreement. Iran’s leadership should seize this opportunity to address the concerns of the international community - on nuclear, on ballistic missiles, on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and on its support to proxies in particular Hezbollah. Diplomacy is the only path towards lasting peace.”
UNITED NATIONS
Secretary-General António Guterres | X
“There is no military solution to the crisis in the Middle East. Serious negotiations must resume. The ceasefire must be preserved – and extended as necessary. And international navigational rights & freedoms – including in the Strait of Hormuz – must be respected by all parties.”
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