What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 1, 2026
U.S.
‘I Have Agreed to Talk’ | The Atlantic
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” Trump told me in a phone call from his Mar-a-Lago club shortly before 9:30 a.m.
Post by U.S. President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“I have just been informed that we have destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important. We are going after the rest — They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also! In a different attack, we largely destroyed their Naval Headquarters. Other than that, their Navy is doing very well!”
Post by U.S. Central Command | X
“As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.”
Post by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“I am devastated to learn of the loss of three US service members during military operations against Iran. Every American should be profoundly grateful for their patriotism and sacrifice. I am praying for them, their families, the other service members injured, and all of those in harms way in the Middle East right now.”
Statement by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast | Fox News Live
“You have the head of the United Nations who's lining up against America, and in support of the Ayatollah... and while not surprising, but very troubling, most Congressional Democrats — they're going to line up next week and say, "We don't want @POTUS to have any authority to defend the United States of America against the imminent threat of Iran."
Statement by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast | Fox News Live
“President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff were clear that a nuclear-armed Tehran would be a deal-breaker. The Ayatollah ignored their warnings and received the justice he deserved for all the years he spent killing Americans.”
Statement by Sen. Lindsey Graham | NBC News
“Operation Epic Fury has set in motion the end of the largest state sponsor of terror. The future of Iran will finally be in the hands of its people. The leader of the America First movement knows exactly what he’s doing. This operation makes America safer, puts our enemies on notice, and restores our standing on the world stage. Well done, President @realDonaldTrump. Every president talked about standing up to evil, but President @realDonaldTrump delivered. America stands ready for a new and better relationship with Iran, one without the threat of its previous regime. However, the choice of their next leader belongs solely to the Iranian people.”
Statement by Sen. Ted Cruz | Face the Nation on CBS News
“President Trump's decision to launch this decisive action against Iran is the single most important decision of his presidency. I think he laid out powerfully and effectively why he is taking this action. He is taking this action because the government of Iran is a profound and malign influence. They have been the leading state sponsor of terrorism for 47 years. They have, over that time, killed nearly 1,000 Americans. They provide more than 90% of the funding for Hamas. They provide more than 90% of the funding for Hezbollah, the Iranian ayatollah was, until yesterday, actively trying to murder the President of the United States Donald J. Trump. I spent the entire day with President Trump on Friday, right before he launched these attacks. He and I discussed this at length on Friday. My counsel to him was that the Iranian regime has never been weaker, that it was teetering and now was the time. My advice was do not miss this opportunity. I think the president has acted boldly. He's acted decisively, and Iran no longer being led by a theocratic, murderous dictator, that makes America much, much safer.”
ISRAEL
Post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“In the coming days, we will strike thousands of targets of the terrorist regime. We will create the conditions for the brave people of Iran to free themselves from the chains of tyranny. And for this reason, I address you once again: O citizens of Iran, do not let this opportunity slip away. This is an opportunity that comes only once in every generation. Do not sit idle, because your moment will arrive soon. The moment when you must take to the streets, come to the streets in your millions to finish the job, to overthrow the regime of terror that has embittered your lives. Your suffering and sacrifices will not be in vain. The help you have longed for has now arrived. Help has arrived, and now the time has come to unite for a historic mission. O citizens of Iran, Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Ahwazis, and Baluchis— Now is the time to unite your forces to overthrow the regime and secure your future.”
IRAN
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Statement on Ayatollah Khamenei Assassination | WANA News
“The Leader of the Ummah and the great Leader of Islamic Iran, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may his noble soul be sanctified), was martyred and ascended to the highest heavenly realm during the savage attacks carried out by the United States and the Zionist regime on his residence on the morning of Saturday, the 10th day of the holy month of Ramadan.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Defends Retaliatory Strikes, Slams US Betrayal | Al Jazeera
Iran is entitled to defend itself from Israeli and US attacks, the spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed. “We have every right in accordance with international law, with the UN Charter, to defend ourselves with all might”, Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday.
Post by Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani | X
“To the countries of the region: We are not seeking to attack you. But when the bases located in your country are used against us, and when the United States carries out operations in the region relying on these forces, then we will target those bases. For these bases are not part of the land of those countries; rather, they are American soil.”
Post by Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani | X
“YESTERDAY IRAN FIRED MISSILES AT THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL, AND THEY DID HURT. TODAY WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.”
IRAN’S PROXIES
Lebanon's Hezbollah Vows to 'Confront Aggression' of US, Israel | Asharq al-Awsat
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah vowed Sunday to confront the United States and Israel over their strikes on the group's key backer Iran. "We will undertake our duty of confronting the aggression," Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said in a statement, adding that his movement would not leave "the field of honor and resistance".
Hamas Mourns Iran’s Khamenei, Condemns ‘Heinous’ US-Israel Attack | Asharq al-Awsat
Hamas on Sunday mourned Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, a firm supporter of the Palestinian movement, after his death in what it described as a "heinous" US-Israeli attack.
Armed group Islamic Jihad, which along with Hamas and its armed wing fought a war against Israel in Gaza for two years, said the killing of Khamenei was a "war crime" by the US and Israel in a "treacherous and malicious attack".
Statement from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq | Sabereen News on X
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (And fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together; and know that Allah is with the righteous.) The mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, sixteen operations in which dozens of drones were used against enemy bases in Iraq and the region. We will provide you with the details later. (And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.)”
GULF STATES
Statement by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Foreign Ministry's Website
The United Arab Emirates has announced the closure of its Embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all members of its diplomatic mission, in response to the blatant Iranian missile attacks that targeted the UAE’s territory. These hostile attacks against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service facilities, endangered innocent civilians in a serious and irresponsible escalation and constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, as well as a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Statement by the UAE's Ministry of Defence | X
“The Ministry of Defence has announced that the UAE air force and air defence forces have so far dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack. The ministry said that on the morning of the second day of the attack, UAE air force and air defence forces destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight missiles fell into the sea. They also destroyed two cruise missiles and 311 drones. However, 21 drones struck civilian targets. The ministry affirmed the capability of the UAE air force and air defence to address various threats.”
Statement by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression against the Sultanate of Oman and Iran’s flagrant violation of its sovereignty, affirming the Kingdom’s full solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman.”
The Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Qatari Armed Forces successfully intercepted several waves of missiles coming from the Islamic Republic of Iran, which targeted several areas in the State of Qatar, with no human fatalities recorded.
Statement by Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi | Foreign Ministry’s Website
Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi held intensive communications with his counterparts in brotherly and friendly countries. . . . During these calls, the Minister affirmed the Sultanate of Oman’s concern regarding the attacks targeting the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and brotherly Arab countries.
JORDAN
Post by the Royal Hashemite Court | X
“His Majesty @KingAbdullahII chairs a National Security Council meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein, to address current regional developments and escalations. His Majesty was briefed on plans to respond to developments in a manner that preserves the security of #Jordan and safety of its citizens”
TURKEY
Post by Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications | X
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with Kuwait Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. During the call, President Erdoğan expressed his sorrow over the attacks on Kuwait and conveyed his condolences. Noting that resolving issues through diplomacy and negotiations is the most rational option, President Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye will continue to do its utmost in order for an environment of peace to be established swiftly.”
PAKISTAN
22 Killed as Protesters Try to Storm US Consulate in Pakistan | Associated Press
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his “profound sorrow over the martyrdom” of Khamenei and conveyed his condolences to Iran, according to his office. He said: “Pakistan stands with the Iranian nation in this moment of grief and shares in their loss.”
EUROPE
Post by European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas | X
“The death of Ali Khamenei is a defining moment in Iran’s history. What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape. I’m in contact with partners, including those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation.”
Post by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz | X
“I will speak with President Trump on the latest developments in the Middle East in Washington on Tuesday. I am in close contact with partners across Europe, Israel and the wider region. This is not the moment to lecture our allies, but to stand together in unity.”
Statement by UK’s Ministry of Defence | X
“Today, a Royal Air Force Typhoon operating from Qatar as part of the joint UK–Qatar Typhoon Squadron, successfully took out an Iranian drone heading towards Qatar.”
Post by Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski | X
“We express our solidarity with Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman, which have suffered as a result of unprovoked attacks by Iran. We strongly condemn all attempts to spread the conflict across the Middle East.”
CHINA, RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA
China, Russia, North Korea and Hamas Condemn Killing of Iran’s Khamenei | Agencies
China said Sunday it “strongly condemns” the United States and Israel’s killing of Khamenei, calling again for a halt to military actions. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called the killing “a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.” North Korea condemned the attack as an “illegal act of aggression.”
Statement by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi | Foreign Ministry’s Website
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China’s position is as follows: First, military actions should be immediately ceased. . . . Second, there should be an earliest possible return to dialogue and negotiation. . . . Third, we should jointly oppose unilateral acts.
UNITED NATIONS
Post by UN Secretary-General António Guterres | X
“Everything must be done to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. I call on all sides to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the @UN Charter, protect civilians & ensure nuclear safety. Let’s act responsibly & together to pull the region & our world back from the brink.”
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