What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 10, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Financial Times
Donald Trump said the US war against Iran would end “very soon.”
President Donald Trump | Fox News
President Donald Trump said he is "not happy" with Iran’s choice of a new supreme leader but that early results from Operation Epic Fury have been "way beyond expectation."
Asked whether he would be willing to speak with Iranian leaders, Trump said: "I'm hearing they want to talk badly." "It's possible, depends on what terms, possible, only possible... You know, we sort of don't have to speak anymore, you know, if you really think about it, but it's possible."
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far” if it “does anything” to stop the flow of oil through the Strait.
Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff | CNBC
“I can tell you that yesterday, on the call with [President Trump], the Russians said they have not been sharing. . . . And yesterday morning, independently, Jared and I had a call with Ushakov, who reiterated the same.”
“U.S. forces are degrading the Iranian regime's ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping. For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity.”
“U.S. Army Soldiers are supporting the most integrated air defense umbrella in the history of the Middle East.”
ISRAEL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Al Arabiya
“Our aspiration is to bring the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny; ultimately, it depends on them. But there is no doubt that with the actions taken so far, we are breaking their bones -- and we are not done yet.”
“TEHRAN & TABRIZ: A combined strike on central command centres of the Iranian terror regime Targets struck included: Special units command center in Tabriz. An “Imam Hassan” security unit military compound in Tehran. A command center for the security unit responsible for ballistic missile launches & artillery fire. A command center for the Intelligence and General Security Police in Maragheh Province. A large Basij forces compound in Tabriz”
“Most key assets of the Iranian terror regime’s Internal Security Forces and Basij units in Ilam Province, as part of the IDF’s operations to target the regime’s systems and capabilities.”
Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka | Reuters
Israel is ahead of schedule in reaching its war objectives in Iran, such as weakening the regime so that the Iranian people take control of their own fate, Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka says.
IRAN
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“Iran is the heir to a civilization at least 6,000 years old. Through the trials of history, no power has ever succeeded in erasing this storied name. Anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history. Aggressors have come and gone; Iran has endured.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry Seyed Abbas Araghchi | X
“The claim that Iran was planning on attacking the U.S. or U.S. Forces, whether preventively or preemptively, is a sheer and utter lie. The sole purpose of that lie is to justify Operation Epic Mistake, a misadventure engineered by Israel and paid for by ordinary Americans.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“Certainly we aren't seeking a ceasefire. We believe the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again.”
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani | X
“Strait of Hormuz will either be a Strait of peace and prosperity for all or will be a Strait of defeat and suffering for warmongers.”
Iranian police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan | BBC News
“If someone comes at the enemy’s bidding, we do not regard them as a protester or anything of the sort; we treat them as we would treat the enemy, and we deal with them in the same way we deal with the enemy", Iranian police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on state TV. "All our forces also have their fingers on the trigger, ready to defend the [Revolution]”, he added.
IRGC spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini | Financial Times
“Iran will determine the end of the war,” and the IRGC would “not allow one litre of oil to be exported from the region” to hostile parties and their partners until further notice, given the continuation of US and Israeli strikes.
Iranian Foreign Policy Advisor to the office of the Supreme Leader Kamal Kharazi | CNN
“No room for diplomacy.”
GULF STATES
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Foreign Ministry Website
“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the unprovoked terrorist drone attack that targeted the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which resulted in material damage with no injuries reported. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed that targeting diplomatic missions and premises constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms and laws, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic premises and the protection of diplomatic personnel. Such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability.”
“UAE air defences intercept 8 ballistic missiles, 26 UAVs UAE air defences on Tuesday detected 9 ballistic missiles, of which 8 were destroyed, while 1 missile fell into the sea. A total of 35 UAVs were also detected, with 26 intercepted, while 9 fell within the country’s territory. Since the onset of the blatant Iranian attacks, 262 ballistic missiles have been detected. Of these, 241 were destroyed, 19 fell into the sea, and 2 struck within the State territory. A total of 1,475 Iranian UAVs have also been detected, of which 1,385 were intercepted, while 90 fell within the country’s territory. 8 cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.”
Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“The State of Kuwait, for the second time, on Monday, 9 March 2026, addressed two identical letters to both the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the Security Council regarding the developments related to the blatant and ongoing Iranian aggression against it since 28 February 2026.”
Qatari Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Al Ansari| X
“Let me say with a very clear voice: targeting vital infrastructure, whether it be water desalination facilities, water tanks, food reserves, medicine reserves, or medicine production facilities—any kind of infrastructure that sustains people's lives—is a grave danger for the people of the region and beyond, whatever party is doing this. This needs to stop immediately. This region cannot take these kinds of attacks on its facilities.”
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani | X
“Until now, other damages are being assessed, but on a daily basis, around 40% of the attacks are targeted toward energy facilities, 25% toward civilian facilities, and 35% toward military facilities. Such as the international airport, which has been targeted many times. Even drinking water storage facilities have been attacked.”
“On behalf of HRH the Crown Prince, Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan participated in a meeting with Leaders of GCC, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Türkiye, Armenia, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission.”
TURKEY
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan | Reuters
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in a call on Tuesday that violation of Turkey's airspace by Iranian ballistic missiles was unacceptable.
EUROPE
EU Council President Antonio Costa | Reuters
“So far, there is only one winner in this war – Russia.”
European Council | Council of the European Union Website
“Today, President Costa and President von der Leyen exchanged views with the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, Armenia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman on the latest developments regarding the war in Iran, including the unacceptable attacks against the countries of the region and the impact on energy security.”
UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“Our team is now on its way to the Gulf region, where they can help protect lives and stabilize the situation. We see the challenges that exist now: the Iranian regime has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz – one of the main routes for supplying oil and gas to the global market. This is a major source of instability. No one in the world can yet say how long all of this will last, but it is important that the protection of life starts working effectively as soon as possible. Stability is important for us as well.”
RUSSIA
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov | Reuters
“From the very beginning of this situation, even before the military phase began, President Putin has proposed various options for our mediation and good offices that could help reduce tensions. Many of these proposals are still on the table. . . . Russia is ready to assist to the best of its ability and will be happy to do so, but you know that this requires multiple understandings and multiple agreements, so we’ll have to be a little patient.
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