What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 20, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We’ve got all the time in the world. . . . [It’s] highly unlikely that I’d extend [the ceasefire] . . . I’m not opening it up [ending the blockade]. They want me to open it. The Iranians desperately want it opened. I’m not opening it until a deal is signed. . . . If there’s no deal, I would certainly expect [fighting to resume].”
President Donald Trump | Press Interview
“[Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir] didn’t recommend anything on the blockade. . . . The blockade is very powerful, very strong. They [the Iranian regime] lose $500 million a day with the blockade up. We control it. They don’t control it.”
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“Israel never talked me into the war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did.”
Central Command | Press Release
“U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19. Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade. After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody.”
“Since the commencement of the blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port.”
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett | Press Interview
“Think about how much energy production in the Gulf area has been depressed over time because of the huge risk premium associated with Iranian misbehavior. Once this thing is done, think about the explosion in new energy production that could happen in the Middle East.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton | X
“Peace through strength works. The Ayatollahs are at the negotiating table weaker than they’ve been in years. The world is safer as a result.”
Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen | X
“[Energy Secretary Chris Wright] is right about one thing: The President’s war in Iran is driving up your energy costs.”
“The brilliant blockade is crushing the Iranian economy. The IRGC attack on international shipping is a sign of desperation. Mr. President: take control of the Strait of Hormuz and keep the blockade in place. Then you will truly have all the cards. As to enrichment, if you thought it would be a bad idea to recognize that al Qaeda has a right to enrich even with a moratorium, you’d be right. The Iranian regime and al Qaeda are no different. They have the same goals. This terrorist regime with American blood on its hands has no right to enrich, period. They cheat and lie. No JCPOA-like deal on President Trump’s watch.”
“We are spending billions to keep our entire navy in the Strait to fecklessly fail to open a waterway that wasn’t closed until Trump’s pointless war of choice closed it. He’s just burning your tax money.”
Rep. Ro Khanna | Press Interview
“All Trump did is listen to Netanyahu—that’s his entire foreign policy. I resent the fact that Israel is going to tell the U.S. what to do. The American president should call the shots in this country.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“Iran, as in every generation, rose against us to destroy us. It planned to destroy us with atomic bombs. Had we not acted, the names Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan—those sites of death—would have joined the names of the death camps: Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Treblinka. But we acted, and we crushed the murderous plot.”
IRAN
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Spokesperson | Statement
“We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy [the seizure of the M/V Touska] and the US military.”
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“Vibe-trading digital oil is like vibe-hedging in treasuries during Hormuz risk-off. Both share one house of cards that works on paper. Difference: oil at least has Dated Brent. Treasuries? Vibes all the way down.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“Honoring commitments is the basis of meaningful dialogue. Deep historical mistrust in Iran toward U.S. gov conduct remains, while unconstructive & contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message; they seek Iran’s surrender. Iranians do not submit to force.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei | Comments to Journalists
“There are various indications that there is no seriousness on the U.S. side in advancing diplomacy.”
GULF STATES
Anwar Gargash, Chief Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President | X
“. . . for us in the UAE, the brutal Iranian aggression against the states and peoples of the Arabian Gulf and its repercussions remain at the center of our attention. It is impossible to return to the previous pace in relations without review, candor, and guarantees, and it is unacceptable to accept tension, threats, and aggression as a new reality.”
PAKISTAN
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif | X
“I had a warm and constructive conversation with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian this evening on the evolving regional situation. I appreciated Iran’s engagement, including its high-level delegation to Islamabad for the historic talks, and recent discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran. I also shared insights from my recent engagements with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye. I assured him that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere facilitator of lasting peace and regional stability.”
EUROPE
European Council President António Costa | X
“The world is watching with great expectation the next meeting between the United States and Iran, which should take place in Islamabad as soon as possible. We hope that an agreement will be reached to bring an end to the conflict and lead to the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Union supports all ongoing efforts towards peace in the Middle East.”
UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper | X
“As we near the end of the agreed 2 week ceasefire, this is a critical diplomatic moment. For the last 6 days I’ve travelled through 5 countries, speaking to more than a dozen foreign ministers and counterparts, to maintain international pressure on opening the Strait of Hormuz.”
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