What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 27, 2026
U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Interview
“They cannot normalize, nor can we tolerate them trying to normalize, a system in which the Iranians decide who gets to use an international waterway, and how much you have to pay them to use it.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt | Press Briefing
“The president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them [the Iranian regime] as well.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries | X
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed, gas prices are soaring and billions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted. How is this reckless war of choice working out for the American people?”
IRAN
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | Remarks at Meeting with Russian President
“I have been asked, during this visit, to confirm that Iran-Russia relations are regarded by us as a strategic partnership at the highest level, and that we will continue along this path. Regardless of everything that is happening, Iran-Russia relations will continue to grow stronger. As you rightly noted, it has been proven to the whole world that the Iranian people, through their resistance and courage, were able to withstand American attacks and aggression, and will endure and stand firm during this period. It has also been proven to everyone that Iran has friends and allies such as the Russian Federation, who stand by Iran in difficult times. We are grateful to you for your firm and strong positions in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman. Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority.”
GULF STATES
Anwar Gargash, Chief Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President | Remarks at Event
““This folly, this ferocity, this indiscriminate attack [Iran’s attacks on Gulf states during the current war], which we now see from the launch sites of the aggression, is clearly a premeditated attack. . . . This was a premeditated plan, not a decision made in 24 or 48 hours. Iran’s attack on its Arab neighbours is a planned attack, part of a confrontation scenario devised by the Iranian planners, who built the necessary fortifications and armed themselves accordingly. . . . Every Gulf state has pursued a policy of containing Iran, and all of those containment policies have failed. . . . And today, we are facing an important reassessment. The first part is that this brutal and pre-planned aggression poses a vital threat for decades to come and the second part is that our containment policies have also failed. . . . Imagine if Iran had nuclear military capabilities in this war. Iran is acting like a superpower, even without nuclear weapons. Imagine if it had such weapons.”
EUROPE
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz | Remarks During Visit to School
“The problem with conflicts like these is always the same: it’s not just about getting in; you also have to get out. We saw that all too painfully in Afghanistan, for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq. . . . Especially since the Iranians are negotiating very skillfully—or rather, very skillfully not negotiating. And then letting the Americans travel to Islamabad, only to send them back without any results. An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards.”
RUSSIA
President Vladimir Putin | Remarks at Meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister
“We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty. And, of course, we very much hope that, relying on this courage and determination for independence, the Iranian people, under the leadership of their new leader, will go through this difficult period of trials and that peace will come. For our part, we will do everything that meets your interests and the interests of all peoples in the region in order to ensure that this peace is achieved as quickly as possible.”
UNITED NATIONS
UN Secretary-General António Guterres | X
“Navigational rights & freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz must be respected. I appeal to the parties: Open the Strait. Let ships pass. No tolls. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe. Safe, unimpeded passage is an economic & humanitarian imperative.”
“Straits used for international navigation cannot be closed by bordering States. Equally, there is no legal basis for any country to introduce payments or impose tolls, fees, or any discriminatory conditions on international straits.”
Receive Iran News in Your Inbox.
Eye on Iran is a news summary from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a section 501(c)(3) organization. Eye on Iran is available to subscribers on a daily basis or weekly basis.