What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 24, 2026
U.S.
[In response to a journalist’s question about why the president trusts the Iranian regime and why he’s negotiating with them]: “I don’t trust them . . . They’re gonna make a deal. They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present and the present arrived today. And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. I’m not gonna tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize . . . And that meant one thing to me: We’re dealing with the right people. . . . [The present] was oil-and-gas–related. . . . It was related to the flow [of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz] and to the Strait . . . Look, if we can end this without more lives being lost, without knocking out $10 billion electric plants . . . I’d like to be able to do that. But they can’t have certain things . . . [I]t starts with no nuclear weapons. And they’ve agreed to that—there won’t be any nuclear weapons. And they’re not going to have enrichment . . .”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth | X
“Never has a modern military, been so rapidly and historically obliterated, defeated, from day one, with overwhelming firepower . . . that’s why we see ourselves as part of this negotiation as well. We negotiate with bombs. You have a choice, as we loiter over the top of Tehran... about your future.”
Central Command Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper | X
“Israel is attacking drones and ballistic missiles that are aimed at Arab countries, attacking and defeating them.”
“U.S. forces have destroyed more than 9,000 military targets inside Iran, significantly removing the Iranian regime's combat capability.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton | X
“The United States military is conducting a deliberate, successful operation against Iran’s radical regime.”
ISRAEL
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar | X
“I welcome the decision of the Lebanese Foreign Minister to expel the Iranian ambassador-designate from Lebanon. This is a justified and necessary step against the state responsible for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, for its indirect occupation through Hezbollah, and for dragging it into war. We call on the Lebanese government to take practical and meaningful measures against Hezbollah, whose representatives still serve as ministers within it.”
“3,000+ strikes across Iran since the start of Operation Roaring Lion. Yesterday, the IDF targeted IRGC command centers, weapons storage facilities, and aerial defense systems. Overnight, an additional 50+ targets were struck, including ballistic missile storage and launch sites.”
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel | X
“Iran’s missile attacks deliberately targeting Israeli civilians may satisfy the bloodthirsty extremists in Tehran, but they will not stop Israel’s response. Striking homes and families is not strength. It’s terror. And it will not deter Israel from continuing to hit the regime responsible. For our children, our families, and our security - we will prevail. #IranWar#israel”
IRAN
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“We are aware of what is happening in the paper oil market, including the firms hired to influence oil futures. We also see the broader jawboning campaign. But let’s see if they can turn that into ‘actual fuel’ at the pump—or maybe even print gas molecules!”
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri | X
“The container ship SELEN was turned back by the IRGC Navy due to failure to comply with legal protocols and lack of permission to pass through #Strait_of_Hormuz. The passage of any vessel through this waterway requires full coordination with Iran's maritime authority, and this achievement would not have been possible without the backing of the noble people of Iran.”
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces Commander Mohammad Karami | X
“We fear no power and we rely on divine power. All the IRGC Ground Forces are at the peak of strength and full readiness, and the United States, Israel, and our country's enemies will receive a crushing response to any threat or aggression.
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“Today, we are witnessing the awakening of the people of many countries around the world. The people of Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Arab countries are loudly expressing their disgust for America, Israel, and their crimes. The hearts of the free people of the world are not with the Zionists. Stability in the region is possible only through cooperation and respect for the will of the nations.”
GULF STATES
“The UAE air defence systems on 24th March 2026 engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 17 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 357 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,806 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.”
“The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force mourns the martyr of duty from the armed forces of the sisterly United Arab Emirates, whose pure soul has ascended to its Creator while performing his national duty alongside his brothers in the Bahrain Defense Force in confronting the sinful Iranian aggressions.”
LEBANON
Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi | X
“I instructed today the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to summon the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in Lebanon to inform him of the decision to withdraw the agrément for the designated Iranian Ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declare him persona non grata, and request that he leave Lebanese territory no later than 29 March 2026.”
EUROPE
French President Emmanuel Macron | X
“I spoke with the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog. I expressed to him the full solidarity of France with the Israeli people in the face of the daily attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. These attacks must cease immediately. In the Middle East, I emphasized the absolute necessity for the parties to the conflict to act to preserve civilian and energy infrastructure, on which the lives of millions of people depend, and to commit to a path of genuine renewal of dialogue, for the peace and security of all. Iran must also restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
INDIA AND PAKISTAN
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif | X
“Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi | X
“Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability.”
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