What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 26, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.”
President Donald Trump | Politico
“President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed, for the first time, why he has faith that Iran is willing to negotiate a peace deal, even as missiles continue to fly across the region. Iran, he said, allowed eight oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a show of good faith, and then sent through two more as an apology—collectively, the ‘present’ he teased on Tuesday. ‘I said, ‘Well, I guess we’re dealing with the right people,’’ Trump said . . .”
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange.’ They are ‘begging’ us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.’ WRONG!!! They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”
President Donald Trump | X
“I had to do an excursion in Iran because our country and the world would not have been safe. But when I asked NATO, where we give billions of dollars, to give us a little hand with the straits, they didn’t want to. I believe that’s going to cost them dearly.”
“It’s a display of force and precision and skill like nothing the world has really witnessed.”
Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper | X
“The death of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps - Navy (IRGC-N) commander, Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, from an Israeli airstrike makes the region safer. Tangsiri commanded the IRGC-N for eight years, during which time the IRGC harassed thousands of innocent merchant mariners, attacked hundreds of vessels with one way attack drones and missiles, and killed countless innocent civilians. . . . Since the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, 92% of the large ships in the Iranian Navy have been eliminated. As a result, IRGC-N has completely lost their ability to project power in the Middle East or around the world. Now, with the loss of their long-time leader, the IRGC-N is on an irreversible decline. U.S. military strikes on the IRGC-N will continue. Therefore, we call on every Iranian serving in the IRGC-N to immediately abandon their post and return home to avoid further risk of unnecessary injury or death.”
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff | New York Times
“We will see where things lead and if we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point with no good alternatives for them, other than more death and destruction.”
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff | X
“We have told Iran one last thing: don’t miscalculate again.”
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff | X
“I have no doubt that we exhausted all efforts on behalf of a peaceful resolution as you directed. . . . Jared [Kushner] and I both agreed that the Iranians were there to buy time until a weaker president arrived.”
“The Trump Administration is handing the Iranian regime billions of dollars in oil revenue while Iran is attacking our partners, our diplomats and our service members—13 of whom have already tragically died in this war. Neither the Administration’s war nor its approach to sanctions on Iran have been tied to clear, defensible strategic objectives. Waging war on a regime while simultaneously enabling it to increase oil profits by lifting sanctions makes zero sense and reaches new levels of incoherence. This decision also appears to open the door for Chinese financial institutions to facilitate transactions with Iran’s central bank, which directly undercuts the Administration’s own claims that this policy would limit Beijing’s role in the Iranian oil trade. And there are no clear safeguards, transparency or accountability for where that money ends up. Americans deserve to understand the strategic rationale for making such a decision and how it enhances the national security of the United States.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio | X
“The people who run Iran are religious fanatics. Look at what they are doing: attacking embassies and hotels. Imagine what these people would do if they had a nuclear weapon. The President’s not just doing a favor for the United States, but for the world.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“Donald Trump is lifting sanctions on Iran, giving them $14 billion in the process, all to try to solve an energy prices problem that was created by his reckless war in the first place. @SenateGOP used to sound the alarm about this type of action. Now? Silence.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton | X
“Iran’s terrorist regime was building a missile capable of hitting our homeland within months, not years. President Trump is ending that threat.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner | X
“Why are my Republican colleagues silent as Trump gives away $14 billion to Iran?”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“We continue to strike with full force at the targets of the Iranian terror regime. Last night, we eliminated the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' navy. This man has a lot of blood on his hands, and in addition, he is the one who led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This is another example of the cooperation between us and our friend the United States, for the common goal of achieving the objectives of the war.”
“ELIMINATED: The IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri, in a precise IDF strike in Bandar Abbas.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“For decades, the Iranian terror regime has echoed Nazi ideology - glorifying Hitler, fueling antisemitism, and distributing ‘Mein Kampf.’ Now they’re proudly placing Mojtaba Khamenei alongside him on posters across Iran. A genocidal regime praising another.”
IRAN
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“87 operations in a single night! Before the outbreak of the war, I said in an interview that Hezbollah is more vibrant with life than ever before; and today, the lightning-quick operations and the continuous precision strikes that have inflicted severe losses on the equipment and forces of the Zionist enemy prove the truth of the promises of the martyred Sayyid. Hezbollah, the pride of Islam, and know that a stockpile of surprises is coming your way. So, wait for it.”
“America deals with Europe over Greenland in a domineering manner; but that same Europe is unwilling to join America’s plan in the Strait of Hormuz, because it knows the cost of confronting Iran.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“President Putin’s messages and the support of the Russian people inspire us in this war. The resistance and courage of the Iranian people promise new bonds that will ensure the security of East Asia by the countries of the region. On behalf of the people of Iran, I thank the government and people of Russia.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“The U.S. backed Israel’s Gaza blockade, cutting aid under ‘security’ claims, yet condemns Iran for defending itself in Strait of Hormuz. Double standard: Israel’s crimes are OK while Iran’s defense against aggressors is condemned. International law is not tool of convenience.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“From outset of this war, U.S. soldiers fled military bases in GCC to hide in hotels and offices. They use GCC citizens as human shield. Hotels in U.S. deny bookings to officers who may endanger customers. GCC hotels should do same.”
IRGC Cultural Official Rahim Nadali | Iran International
“Given that the age of those coming forward [to participate in supporting Iran’s war effort] has dropped and they are asking to take part, we lowered the minimum age to 12.”
GULF STATES
“The UAE air defences systems on 26th March 2026 engaged 15 ballistic missiles and 11 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the start of the blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,826 UAVs. The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the martyrdom of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as 8 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.”
Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait's warm welcome to the decision adopted by consensus by the Human Rights Council regarding the implications for human rights resulting from the unjustified Iranian attacks that targeted the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This decision was presented through a joint diplomatic initiative by the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Ministry affirms that the adoption of this decision during the emergency session of the 61st session of the Council represents an embodiment of the comprehensive international will rejecting Iran's flagrant aggressions, and a United Nations condemnation of the targeting of the territories of sovereign States far removed from any conflict, along with the grave violations of fundamental rights that ensued, and the direct threat to regional and international peace and security. “
EUROPE
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas | X
“The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are interlinked. With our G7 partners, we’ll discuss how to drive de-escalation in the Middle East, as the war’s consequences are felt severly worldwide. At the same time, we can’t overlook Ukraine. Russia’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are increasing every day. We must keep the pressure on Russia to stop this war and negotiate in good faith.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez | X
“Congress gives the green light to the package of measures to mitigate the effects of the illegal war in Iran. This is not our war. But the Spanish people are indeed our people. We will continue working to protect the families and businesses of our country. No to war!”
RUSSIA & UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“The United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries. We’ve also been approached by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. We’re already working with some of them, and our expert teams are already on the ground, assessing the situation and sharing invaluable experience. Because no matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough for fully effective air defense. There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes. Now, we are discussing future deliveries of certain equipment that Ukraine has. We want Middle Eastern countries to give us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves as well. They have some air defense missiles that we lack. We would like to reach agreements on this.”
TURKEY
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | X
“We reject all actions and discussions that will deepen the resentments between brotherly peoples, amplify enmity, and provide logistical support to Zionism’s divide-and-rule plans for our region. In our shared geography, just as in our past, inshallah our future will also be one and together.”
PAKISTAN
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar | X
“There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks to end ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan. In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative. Pakistan remains fully committed to promoting peace and continues to make every effort to ensure stability in the region and beyond. Dialogue and Diplomacy is the only way forward!”
CANADA
Prime Minister Mark Carney | X
“Canada shares its condolences with the UAE following the latest Iranian attack that took the lives of two civilians in Abu Dhabi. We strongly condemn Iran’s unprovoked attacks on the UAE and across the region, and reiterate the importance of opening secure access through the Strait of Hormuz. Canada supports efforts to safeguard international shipping and ensure freedom of navigation.”
Defense Minister David McGuinty | CBC News
“Vessels, de-mining expertise, intelligence, cyber capacities—these are all on the table as we share this knowhow with our counterparts to see what is the best way to go forward. But again, this is predicated on the notion that there will be a ceasefire. . . . This is something we’ve been very clear about: we are not getting engaged in the prosecution of this war.”
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