What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 28, 2026

U.S.

President Donald Trump | Truth Social

“Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’ They want us to ‘Open the Hormuz Strait,’ as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!).”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Interview

“It’s important that straits be open.  But it’s not just the straits.  If what they mean by opening the straits is, ‘Yes, the straits are open as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission or we’ll blow you up, and you pay us,’ that’s not opening the straits.  Those are international waterways.  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.  This is not the Suez Canal, this is not the Panama Canal, these are international waters.  And if that’s normalized, not only does that set a precedent in the Middle East, it sets a precedent all over the world.  Countries all over the world can now decide, well, this international waterway is close to our shores, we’re going to take control of it, we’re going to create a tolling system.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Interview

“[R]egime change is something that has to happen from within.  But changing the regime—I know it looks like a word play—is something that pressure can bring about.  In essence, one thing is to change the people in charge or their ideology, but another thing is to modify or modulate their behavior.  At the end of the day, even though they are radicals, there are still people in the Iranian system that every single day, behind every decision they make, they weigh the costs and they weigh the benefits.  And we have to make sure that the costs of all the nefarious things they are doing outweigh the benefits of what they are doing.  This is the reason why the blockade is in place.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Interview

“Our desire is not to hurt the people of Iran.  We have no problem with the people of Iran.  Frankly, we wish the voices of the people of Iran were heard as opposed to having 30- and 40,000 of them murdered in the streets, murdered inside of hospitals, executed on a routine basis.  So we have no quarrel with the people of Iran.  We feel bad for the people of Iran, who are also victims of that regime. If you talk about what the regime uses to sustain itself, what it uses to sustain itself is its industrial capacity, its ability to generate energy, and to use roads and bridges for purposes of the military.  And so our targets will always be things that support the regime directly. . . . [O]bviously, there might be a road or a power plant or factory somewhere that also benefits the economy, but its primary role is to benefit the regime and its security apparatus.”

Central Command | X

“Earlier today in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship’s voyage would not include an Iranian port call. American forces continue to operate and enforce the blockade across the Middle East. So far, 39 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance.”

Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz | Remarks at UN Security Council Debate

“Colleagues, less than three weeks ago, the world came together to counter this threat to maritime security. The Security Council adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2817 with a record-setting 136 co-sponsors, demanding that Iran cease its egregious attacks against its neighboring states—regardless of what you feel about the ongoing conflict it has chosen to shoot in all directions against its neighbors’ civilian infrastructures. . . . Iran has done nothing but act in defiance of that resolution. Forty days and counting, they have laid sea mines, they have fired on civilian ships. We have worked to clear the sea mines and protect these ships. But it’s used the Strait also to launch thousands of missiles at Gulf capitals—their hospitals, their airports, their hotels, their neighborhoods. They have threatened to charge tolls—otherwise known as bribes—to allow ships to pass through the Strait. And, in true form, they have still tried to kill even more Americans than they have in the last 47 years. And this is why President Trump has directed firm action against Iran’s threats in the maritime domain to safeguard the entire world’s economic security and prosperity.”

Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz | Remarks at UN Security Council Debate

“And even while under this type of assault, this type of fire, thousands of drones and missiles pouring in, Bahrain and a coalition of Gulf states put forward another resolution to protect the freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Straits of Hormuz. But unfortunately, two countries—China and Russia—vetoed this resolution and chose a radical religious regime for its partner, and ignored not only the plight of our Gulf countries, but the global economy. They chose to shield the Iranian regime from a commonsense measure. And they chose to turn a blind eye against Iran’s assault on the freedom of navigation—which is hard to make sense of given it’s the economies of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa that are most affected by this illegal assault on shipping. So, unfortunately these two countries have put their own economic interests ahead of international obligations. Their companies and citizens supported the Iran-backed Houthis in addition in waging a two-year campaign of terror against shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which—before this crisis—was one of the most disruptive assaults on maritime commerce in recent history.”

Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz | Remarks at UN Security Council Debate

“Now is a time for a coalition of like-minded partners to step up and step in with real capabilities and help. We need for commercial shipping, for maritime finance and insurance, for humanitarian aid agencies, over 80 of which move their humanitarian supplies though this Strait for lifesaving aid—in addition to the military assets—to come together in a coalition for maritime freedom. . . . The United Nations was built for times like this. We have been here before. We have allowed unchecked regimes and nonstate actors to loudly tiptoe towards horrors against their neighbors, while much of the rest of the world sat back and watched. Colleagues, now is not the time for simple words. Now is the time to act. And we call upon the world to join us in maintaining and defending the freedom of navigation for the entire world’s economy. I thank you.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | X

“While the surviving IRGC Leaders are trapped like drowning rats in a sewage pipe, Iran’s creaking oil industry is starting to shut in production thanks to the U.S. BLOCKADE. Pumping will soon collapse. GASOLINE SHORTAGES IN IRAN NEXT!”

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark | X

“The Strait of Hormuz is still closed. Gas prices keep soaring as Americans struggle to make ends meet. Trump’s reckless war in Iran must end immediately.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham | X

“I don’t know how accurate the reporting is regarding Iran’s supposed new offer to end the war by lifting the blockade, opening the strait and dealing with the other issues later. But all I can say is I understand why Iran would make that offer. I am confident not only would that offer be unacceptable, but it also tells you all you need to know about the true state of play regarding negotiations. This is an offer that ignores the strong positions President Trump has rightfully taken regarding Iran’s nuclear operations and desire to be the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. To have a successful negotiation you have to have two willing partners. Clearly, if this offer is accurate, Iran is playing games. Mr. President, stick to your guns for the good of the nation and the world. The Iranian regime and their behavior is the problem, not you.”

IRAN

Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i | X

“I assure the heroic people of Iran that the individual who holds an Iranian birth certificate but is counted among the Iran-haters of history must pay the price for his complicity with the aggressor, and his assets must be seized and confiscated for the benefit of the nation and to rebuild the damages of war. The collaborators of the enemies must not remain immune from the vengeance of the Iranian people.”

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X

“Pleased to engage with Russia at the highest level as the region is in major flux. Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership. As our relationship continues to grow, we are grateful for solidarity and welcome Russia's support for diplomacy.”

GULF STATES

Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X

“The State of Qatar has affirmed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a fundamental principle of international law, stressing that serious dialogue, adherence to international legal principles, and good neighborliness are the cornerstones for resolving crises and avoiding their serious repercussions.”

EUROPE

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul | X

“The international community agrees: #Iran must end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz; that is the basic condition for a peaceful resolution of the Iran war. The @UN Security Council must play a role in this.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul | X

“Iran‘s blockade of the Strait of #Hormuz is harming the states of the region and the world economy as a whole. My counterpart from #Bahrain, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and I were in complete agreement: #Iran must end it as quickly as possible.”

German Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul | X

“40 years after #Chornobyl, @iaeaorg is more important than ever. . . . In #Iran, the regime must fulfil its legal obligations & grant IAEA full access.”