What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 23, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!”
President Trump | Truth Social
“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY! We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!”
“Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate. International waters cannot be used as a shield by sanctioned actors. The Department of War will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain.”
“U.S. forces have now redirected 33 vessels since the start of the blockade against Iran.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt | Press Interview
“These were not U.S. ships [referring to the two vessels seized by Iran on April 22]. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels. And for the American media who is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president’s facts—that he has completely obliterated Iran’s conventional Navy—these two ships were taken by speedy gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal Navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt | Comments to Journalists
“The White House and our intelligence community certainly have a good understanding [of whom in the Iranian regime is making the decisions regarding the negotiations]. However, we want to see a unified response and a unified proposal. You see a lot of different messaging on social media from many people within the regime, and a lot of that public nonsense is not what we hear from them privately. But again, we want a unified response, and that’s what the president is awaiting.”
“Iran has spent 47 YEARS funding terror, killing Americans, and trying to get its hands on a nuclear weapon to do more damage. We went after this terrorist regime for a reason, and now it’s time to FINISH THE JOB. We need to END their nuclear ambitions, stand firmly with our allies, and NEUTRALIZE THE THREAT for good.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker | X
“This week, I opposed the Democrat-led resolution to limit the president’s military options in Iran. Passing such a resolution now and curtailing the president’s military authority while so many of our service members remain engaged in the region would be dangerous. It would tie the commander-in-chief’s hands even as he works to eliminate the threat from Iran.”
“Iran has spent 47 YEARS funding terror, killing Americans, and trying to get its hands on a nuclear weapon to do more damage. We went after this terrorist regime for a reason, and now it’s time to FINISH THE JOB. We need to END their nuclear ambitions, stand firmly with our allies, and NEUTRALIZE THE THREAT for good.”
“[The Iranian regime has] the willingness to endure the pain and stick this out. . . . They are in a better position today than they were before this war started.”
ISRAEL
Defense Minister Israel Katz | Comments During Security Assessment
“Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The IDF is ready in defense and offense, and the targets are marked. . . . [Israel is] awaiting a green light from the United States, first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty, the initiator of the extermination plan against Israel, and the successors of the successors of the leadership of the Iranian terror regime, and in addition to return Iran to the age of darkness and stone by blowing up central energy and electricity facilities and crushing national economic infrastructure. . . . this time the attack will be different and deadly and will add devastating blows in the most painful places, following the enormous blows the Iranian terror regime has already suffered so far, that will shake and collapse its foundations.”
IRAN
Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i | X
“The show of strength by the armed forces of Islamic Iran in the Strait of Hormuz is a source of pride. Yesterday as well, three violating ships in this strategic waterway were subjected to enforcement. The Americans, too, lack the courage to approach the Strait of Hormuz; they saw what happened to their two so-called ultra-advanced destroyers named ‘Murphy’ and Peterson.’”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always welcomed and continues to welcome dialogue and agreement. Bad faith, siege, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiation. The world is witnessing your hypocritical empty talk and the contradiction between your claims and your actions.”
EUROPE
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz | X
“We welcome the extension of the ceasefire between the US and Iran. It is an important opportunity to resume diplomatic negotiations, make peace, and avert further escalation of the conflict. Tehran should seize this opportunity as well. We call upon Iran to end its nuclear weapon program and to cease threatening Israel and other neighboring states. The Strait of Hormuz must be kept open permanently, reliably, and without any restrictions or tolls. Once an end to hostilities has been achieved, we stand ready - alongside our partners and in accordance with international law and national procedures - to contribute to the free navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.”
French and British Defense Ministers | Joint Statement
“Turning diplomatic momentum [regarding the Strait of Hormuz] into action demands sharp planning, frank discussion and firm commitments from allied and partner nations. We are grateful to those nations who have already indicated their willingness to contribute. We are confident that real progress can be made.”
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