What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 17, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon. I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military — Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”
“U.S. forces continue to hunt and destroy Iranian targets that pose threats to Americans and Iran's neighbors.”
“If confirmed, the removal of Ali Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani, and other top Basij officials is a major blow to the Iranian regime. Tehran’s military operations, internal repression apparatus, and external terror networks are being systemically destroyed. We should stay on offense, stand with Israel and our Gulf allies, and put the Iranian people in the best position to determine their own future.”
“Just spoke to @POTUS about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake. The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure. The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way.”
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker | X
“We're on Day 17 of Operation Epic Fury, and the United States military continues to totally decimate the rogue Iranian terrorist regime. @POTUS has spoken with many countries throughout the last several days. The U.S. needs strong Allies and partners protecting our values and global trade.”
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“This morning we eliminated Ali Larijani. Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the gang of gangsters that actually runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij—the henchmen of the gangsters, who spread terror in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities against the population. We're operating there too; operating from the air with Air Force planes, with drones. We're undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people a chance to oust it. It won't happen all at once, it won't happen easily. But if we persist in this—we'll give them the opportunity to take their fate into their own hands.”
“Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the regime’s effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors.”
“COMMANDER OF THE BASIJ UNIT ELIMINATED.
“Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.”
“STRUCK: Iranian regime infrastructure in different areas across Iran:
- In Tehran, dozens of munitions were dropped on command centers and UAV, ballistic missiles and air defense storage sites were stuck.
- In Shiraz, the internal security forces’ command center and a ballistic missile site were struck.
- In Tabriz, additional Iranian regime air defense systems were dismantled—further expanding aerial superiority in the region and protecting Israel.”
“An Iranian missile exploded over Jerusalem’s Old City. Fragments fell on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre compound & near the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The Iranian regime is targeting the holy sites of Christianity, Islam & Judaism. Nothing is sacred to this regime.”
Iran
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | Asharq Al-Awsat
“The order here will change, but it will not be an order in which the will of the United States prevails. This will be a regional, indigenous order. They (US and Israel) must know that we no longer accept this cycle. This cycle must be broken, meaning the threat must be removed from over the Islamic Republic and the region.”
Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i | X
“The assets of elements collaborating with the aggressor enemy, both abroad and within the country, shall be confiscated in accordance with the Confiscation Law, and the processing and resolution of cases involving elements accused of threatening the security of the people shall be expedited.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“Today, the hearts of the people of Iran grieve for the memory of 20 eternal masterpieces and 84 innocent sea-lovers of the ‘Dena’ ship. The names of the proud men of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army will remain tall and enduring, like the steadfast peaks of Dena. I once again condemn this inhumane crime and extend my condolences to their patient families and comrades.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“A rising number of voices—incl European and U.S. officials—exclaim that the war on Iran is unjust. More members of the international community should follow suit. Wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all—regardless of wealth, faith, or race. Our foe is one.”
Gulf States
“The UAE air defence systems on 17th March 2026 engaged 10 ballistic missiles and 45 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,672 UAVs. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as 6 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities. A total of 157 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe.”
Qatari Ministry of Defense | X
“The Ministry of Defense of the State of Qatar announces that the Armed Forces successfully intercepted a second wave of missile attacks, which targeted the State of Qatar.”
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud | X
“I conducted a phone call with my brother, His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Interior of the sisterly State of Qatar. During the call, we discussed the security implications of the current developments amid the ongoing brutal Iranian attacks on the Gulf states and the region. I affirmed to His Excellency the Kingdom's stance alongside Qatar in everything that achieves the security and safety of its citizens and residents therein.”
Lebanon
Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi | X
“I met a delegation from the Sovereignty Front who handed me a letter addressed to the Lebanese government, demanding that it adopt a clear sovereign stance that entails severing diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on legal and sovereign grounds that enable the Lebanese state to take such a decision. I thanked them for their support and trust, and promised to deliver the letter to the government. I also outlined to them the diplomatic communications I am conducting to halt the escalation and spare the Lebanese people further tragedies.”
Europe
“We are not party to the conflict. But we are ready in the Strait of Hormuz, with our partners, to guarantee freedom of navigation when conditions permit.”
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“In response to a question about the Iranian regime’s threats towards Ukraine due to our support for the Persian Gulf countries: Nothing new. Over the past four years, I have heard different statements. It is important for us that the United States and the leaders of the Middle East countries have come to us for help with interceptor drones. They have come to us to use our expertise in air defense. Air defense does not mean offensive capabilities. That is why I said that we are ready to provide this expertise and defense systems. We are not afraid of such statements. We have been hearing such statements every day for the past four years, and indeed for 12 years. This is nothing new to us.”
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