What They're Saying About Operation Epic Fury—April 9, 2026

U.S.

President Donald Trump | Truth Social

“All U.S. Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with. If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before. It was agreed, a long time ago, and despite all of the fake rhetoric to the contrary - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS and, the Strait of Hormuz WILL BE OPEN & SAFE. In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest. AMERICA IS BACK!”

Vice President JD Vance | Remarks to Journalists

 “My wife has the right to skydive, but she doesn’t jump out of an airplane, because she and I have an agreement that she’s not going to do that. . . . We don’t really concern ourselves with what [Iranian regime officials] claim they have the right to do; we concern ourselves with what they actually do.”

Vice President JD Vance | Remarks to Journalists

“I think the Iranians thought that the cease-fire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t. We never made that promise. We never indicated that was going to be the case. What we said is that the cease-fire would be focused on Iran and the cease-fire would be focused on America’s allies. . . . If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart, in a conflict where they were getting hammered, over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them, and which the United States never once said was part of the cease-fire, that’s ultimately their choice. We think that would be dumb, but that’s their choice.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries | X

“Republicans must put patriotic duty over party loyalty. And join House Democrats to pass a War Powers Resolution. To stop Donald Trump's reckless war of choice in the Middle East. Immediately.”

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner | X

“Bombs are still flying. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed. Americans are still being crushed by the cost of this war. What exactly are the details of Trump’s truce?”

Sen. Cory Booker | X

“Trump’s unauthorized military actions and reckless war-mongering must stop. Alongside other Democratic Senators I will once again force a vote on a War Powers Resolution to finally end this dangerous war in the Middle East. The American people do not want and have not authorized it, but nonetheless keep paying the price.”

Rep. Don Beyer | X

“The U.S. must immediately make clear to Israel that the ceasefire agreement is not and cannot be functional without a ceasefire in Lebanon. The American people want this war to end and bombing downtown Beirut is not a path to peace.”

ISRAEL

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Speech

“We still have goals to complete, and we will achieve them either by agreement or by resuming the fighting. . . . We are prepared to return to combat at any moment required. Our finger is on the trigger.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Statement

“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible. . . . [The talks] will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. . . . Israel appreciates the Lebanese prime minister’s call today to demilitarize Beirut.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar | X

“. . . Lebanon must not be treated as a client state of the Iranian terror regime. Lebanon has not even succeeded in implementing its own decision to expel the Iranian ambassador in Beirut, who was declared ‘persona non grata.’ Lebanon must be freed from the stranglehold of the Iranian regime, it must not be tightened further!”

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid | X

“There has never been such a political disaster in all of our history. Israel wasn't even at the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security. The military carried out everything that was asked of it, the public demonstrated amazing resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically, failed strategically, and didn't meet a single one of the goals that he himself set. It will take us years to repair the political and strategic damage that Netanyahu wrought due to arrogance, negligence, and a lack of strategic planning.”

IRAN

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X

“1- Lebanon and the entire Resistance Axis, as Iran’s allies, form an inseparable part of the ceasefire. (Point 1, 10-point proposal)

“2- PM Shehbaz Sharif publicly and clearly stressed the Lebanon issue; there is no room for denial and backtracking.

“3- Ceasefire violations carry explicit costs and STRONG responses. Extinguish the fire immediately.”

Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei | X

“Hezbollah is one of the key pillars of the Axis of Resistance. We will never forget how our mujahid brothers in Hezbollah were striking pinpoint targets in the north of the occupied territories and the strategic points of Haifa. Hezbollah is the lifeblood of Iran and will not stand alone.”

Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei | X

“There is no hope or trust in those who tell us to negotiate. Iran has never sought war, but it stands with full strength against any aggressor.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian | X

“Renewed aggression by the Zionist regime against Lebanon blatantly violates the initial ceasefire. Such actions signal deception and non-compliance, rendering negotiations meaningless. Our hands remain on the trigger. Iran will never forsake its Lebanese brothers and sisters.”

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X

“Netanyahu's criminal trial resumes on Sun. A region-wide ceasefire, incl in Lebanon, would hasten his jailing. If the U S. wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it.”

GULF STATES

Anwar Gargash, Chief Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President | X

“Followers should not be surprised, frankly, by the UAE’s positions in confronting the Iranian aggression against the Arab Gulf states, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement regarding the ceasefire, which received significant popular appreciation. This clarity is essential following a treacherous and premeditated aggression. The era of courtesies has passed, and frankness has become a necessity. Our collective stance must be firm and clear toward the features of the upcoming phase, in a way that enhances stability and security in the region.”

Gulf Cooperation Council General Secretariat| Statement

“The General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf expresses its welcome of the ceasefire declaration between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and commends the great efforts made by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in this direction, in addition to other regional and international parties calling for a cessation of the ongoing conflict. The GCC Secretariat General emphasizes the importance of concerted regional and international efforts to reach a lasting solution to end this crisis, thereby.”

PAKISTAN

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif | X

“I spoke with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of Lebanon, this evening. I strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression against Lebanon and offered condolences over the loss of thousands of precious lives in Lebanon as a result of these hostilities. I reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advance peace efforts, including facilitating dialogue through the upcoming Iran–U.S. talks in Islamabad. Grateful to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s peace efforts and underscored the need for our continued support in securing an immediate end to the attacks targeting Lebanon and its people.”

EUROPE

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas | X

“Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war, but Israel’s right to defend itself does not justify inflicting such massive destruction. Israeli strikes killed hundreds last night, making it hard to argue that such heavy-handed actions fall within self-defence. Israeli actions are putting the U.S.-Iran ceasefire under severe strain. The Iran truce should extend to Lebanon. Hezbollah must disarm. The EU supports Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah.”

UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper | Speech

“The fundamental freedoms of the seas must not be unilaterally withdrawn or sold off to individual bidders. Nor can there be any place for tolls on an international waterway. . . . The ceasefire agreement between the US, Israel and Iran is welcome. It is a vital step towards bringing security and stability to the region, and to easing the pressures on the global economy and the cost of living here at home. There is considerable work to do, and we support the negotiations: they must make progress; there must be no return to conflict; Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire; there must be no further threat from Iran to its neighbors; and crucially the Strait of Hormuz must be fully reopened.”

UNITED NATIONS

International Maritime Organization Spokesperson | Statement to Reuters

“There is no international agreement where tolls can be ​introduced for transiting international straits. Any ​such toll will set a dangerous precedent. . . . According to [the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea], ships enjoy ​the ⁠right of transit passage through international straits. States bordering straits shall not ⁠hamper ​that right or ​suspend the transit passage.”