What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 5, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Axios
“‘They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,’ Trump said. He added that he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei's policies, which he said would force the U.S. back to war ‘in five years.’ ‘Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,’ Trump said.”
“The Iranian regime’s ability to impact U.S. forces and regional partners is rapidly declining, while American combat power continues to build.”
“The effort to eliminate the Iranian regime’s mobile missile launch capabilities continues. We are finding and destroying these threats with lethal precision.”
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby | X
“The president has directed the United States armed forces to conduct a military campaign with a focus on degrading and destroying the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ability to project military power in the region and potentially beyond. And that is specifically focused, in particular, on the missile and one-way attack drone capabilities and production of the Islamic Republic and the navy, the naval forces.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson | X
“Peace is not secured through appeasement or by airdropping billions of dollars to terrorist regimes. Peace is secured through STRENGTH. That is the principle President Trump is demonstrating to the free world.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune | X
“Iran has been building not only its nuclear capability but also its conventional weapons capability to a point that it would threaten the entire region. @POTUS is taking steps to make the world, our country, and our people safer.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries | X
“We cannot allow a wannabe King to drag us into an endless war in the Middle East. Republicans can find billions for bombs, but nothing to bring down your grocery bill or healthcare costs. Vote YES on the war powers resolution.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries | X
“Trump started a war in the Middle East. Six Americans dead. Thousands stranded. His justification? He had ‘a feeling.’”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“If Trump doesn’t want gas prices to go up, he shouldn’t have started the war in Iran. This is yet another sign that this administration seems allergic to having a plan and thinking about the consequences of their actions. Shame on the @SenateGOP for not standing up to Trump and his reckless war.”
ISRAEL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | X
“The cooperation between the US Army and the IDF, and between the Air Force and the American Air Force, is historic. We continue to strike at targets of the terror regime in Iran and also against terror elements in Lebanon. The achievements are great, but the task is still plentiful.”
Israeli Foreign Minister | Gideon Sa’ar | X
“Spoke with my friend, Azerbaijan’s FM @Bayramov_Jeyhun. I condemned Iran’s overt and deliberate aggression against Azerbaijan. This aggression against Azerbaijan and against other countries in the region is completely unacceptable and once again proves that the Iranian regime is insane and unrestrained. Israel is determined to continue the military operation until its objectives are achieved.”
IRAN
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani | X
“The sacred land of Iran is no place for the servants of hell. Some American officials have stated that they intend to enter Iranian territory on the ground with several thousand troops. The valiant sons of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting for you, ready to disgrace those corrupt American officials by killing and capturing thousands.”
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani | X
“With the mass martyrdom of innocent girls from Minab in a school at the hands of American-Israeli criminals, the theory of ‘peace through strength’ has been stained with blood. Mr. Trump! Is this the anthem you composed for freedom in Iran? God exposes deceivers by their own hands.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“We declare to our friendly, brotherly, and neighboring countries that our missile and drone capabilities are solely for legitimate defense against American and Zionist aggressors. We hope that, with the resolution of this sedition among brothers, we can return to days of cooperation and companionship.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“Aren't US commanders reporting on increasing effective and precise Iran strikes and the painful casualties they have suffered? US lawmakers have been said that they don’t have exit plan, but in media they bluff to control the markets. We won’t stop until the aggressor is punished.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“The U.S. military is forced to reprioritize its air defense missile stockpile due to shortages. American taxpayers will be surprised to learn that the ‘Israel First’ strategy is priority. Risks of leaving U.S. interests and forces unprotected are not limited to the Middle East.”
Iranian Armed Forces General Staff | Tasnim
“In a statement released on Thursday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said that the Islamic Republic of Iran, while respecting the sovereignty of all countries, particularly Muslim and neighboring states, denies the launch of any drone by its military forces toward the Republic of Azerbaijan. It added that such actions by the fake Zionist regime have precedents aimed at disrupting relations among the Muslim countries through various means. The statement noted that, based on the investigations conducted, the move has been carried out by the Israeli regime in an attempt to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“I express my appreciation to the proud and honorable people of Kurdistan who have stood by Iran during these historic days. I share the grief of the families of the martyrs and the injured in these incidents. The governor and the armed forces, as guardians of security, are duty-bound to decisively confront any separatist activities. #Kurdistan_Standing_With_Iran #Iran_Standing_With_Kurdistan”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | NBC News
“Asked if he was afraid of a possible U.S. ground invasion, Araghchi struck a defiant tone. ‘No, we are waiting for them,’ he said and added, ‘Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them.’ Araghchi also said that Iran has not asked for a ceasefire, despite U.S. and Israeli strikes across the country. ‘We didn’t ask for a ceasefire even last time. In previous time, it was Israel who asked for a ceasefire. They asked for an unconditional ceasefire after 12 days that we resisted against their aggression,’ he said, referring to the 12-day war last June when the Israeli and U.S. militaries targeted Iran's nuclear facilities.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“Plan A for a clean rapid military victory failed, Mr. President. Your Plan B will be even bigger failure. The truth: Chance for unique deal burned after the ‘America Last’ cabal obscured ‘significant progress’ we made in negotiations. ‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last.’”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi | X
“Long prepared for this war, Iran’s Powerful Armed Forces are ensuring that it becomes a quagmire for whomever chooses to pursue it. We negotiated twice with this U.S. Administration. Both times, we were attacked in the middle of talks. It bears full responsibility for bloodshed.”
GULF STATES
Joint Statement by GCC-EU Ministers | Council of the European Union
“The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union held an extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2026 to discuss the escalation in the Middle East and Iran's inexcusable attacks against the GCC countries. . . . The Ministers strongly condemned the unjustifiable Iranian attacks against the GCC countries which threaten regional and global security and called on Iran to cease immediately its attacks. The European Union reaffirmed its solidarity with the countries of the GCC.”
“The UAE's air defenses are currently dealing with incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. The Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions.”
Bahrain Defence Force | Gulf News
“Bahrain’s armed forces said on Thursday that the kingdom’s air defence systems had destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones since the start of what it described as Iranian attacks targeting the country.”
Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs | X
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns attempts to target the Republic of Turkiye with a ballistic missile and an airport in the Republic of Azerbaijan using Iranian drones.”
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Al Arabiya
“Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued a statement condemning Iran’s attempt to target Turkey and Azerbaijan and said the Islamic Republic’s actions are unjustifiable. ‘The Kingdom stresses that these criminal attempts against the two countries, and Iran’s repeated hostile behavior toward the states of the region, reveal an aggressive approach that cannot be justified under any circumstances,’ the ministry said in a statement.”
TURKEY
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan | Reuters
“President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron by phone that Turkey is making intensive efforts to strengthen the ground for diplomacy and a return to negotiations on Iran, Erdogan’s office said on Thursday. ‘Erdogan said that the prolongation of conflict in Iran would be a source of instability for both the region and the world,’ the statement says, adding that conflict in the region necessitated increasing defense cooperation among NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan | Türkiye Today
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan struck a firm but measured tone on Thursday evening, telling an audience of tradespeople and artisans at Ankara's presidential complex that Türkiye had demonstrated its resolve following an Iranian ballistic missile that was intercepted en route to Turkish airspace a day earlier, and that warnings had been issued to ensure such an incident is not repeated. “We showed our sensitivity very clearly and plainly in yesterday's incident,” Erdogan said . . . “We are issuing the necessary warnings to prevent a recurrence of a similar event.”
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev | Presidential Website
“Today, a terrorist act was committed by Iran against the territory of Azerbaijan and the state of Azerbaijan. The territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic came under fire from unmanned aerial vehicles launched by the Iranian state. The targets of the attack were civilian facilities, including the Nakhchivan International Airport and its terminal building, a school, and other civilian sites, all treacherously struck by Iran. The State of Azerbaijan strongly condemns this heinous terrorist act. Those responsible must be brought to justice without delay. The Iranian side must provide an official explanation to Azerbaijan, issue an apology, and ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally accountable. . . . We will not tolerate this unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan. Our Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures. . . . The Azerbaijani people can be assured that any hostile force will feel the full might of our ‘Iron Fist.’”
Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense | Ministry Website
“The claim by the General staff of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran that it respects the sovereignty of all countries, particularly muslim and neighboring countries, and its denial of the today’s attacks carried out against Azerbaijan using unmanned aerial vehicles cannot be considered acceptable in any way. It was confirmed through technical means that 4 unmanned aerial vehicles were directed by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the Nakhchivan region of Azerbaijan to conduct attacks. One of them was neutralized by the Azerbaijan Army, while the others targeted civilian infrastructure, including a secondary school building during class hours. Fortunately, the drone aimed at the school did not reach its target and exploded after crashing near the school.”
Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Reuters
“This [Iranian drone] attack on the territory of Azerbaijan contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to increased tensions in the region.”
EUROPE
French President Emmanuel Macron | X
“The Lebanese authorities have given me their commitment to take control of the positions held by Hezbollah and to fully assume responsibility for security across the entire national territory. I give them my full support. . . . Hezbollah must renounce its weapons, respect the national interest, show that it is not a militia taking orders from abroad, and allow the Lebanese to come together to preserve their country.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni | Reuters
“We are not at war and we do not want to enter a war.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | UK Gov Website
“I can announce today, that we are sending four additional Typhoon jets to join our squadron in Qatar to strengthen our defensive operations in Qatar and across the region. Wildcat Helicopters with anti-drone capabilities are arriving in Cyprus tomorrow. The Defence Secretary is on the ground in Cyprus right now, coordinating our work and meeting our brave service men and women. We’re deploying HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean. And we have allowed the US to use British bases to conduct defensive operations to take out Iranian missiles before they are fired at our people and our allies.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | BBC
“Sir Keir Starmer has said he stands by his decision not to join the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran on Saturday, and said talks would be the best way forward. . . . the PM said the UK had ‘the strength to stand by our values and our principles no matter the pressure to do otherwise.’ The UK’s longstanding position was that the best way forward was a ‘negotiated settlement with Iran where they give up their nuclear ambitions,’ he added, saying efforts should be made to ‘de-escalate’ the conflict.”
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas | X
“Tehran is now trying to export the war to as many countries as it can. Today, EU Foreign Ministers and our Gulf partners will discuss what we can do together to break the cycle of violence. The same drones that are attacking Kyiv, are now attacking our partners in the Middle East. So we will explore how we can support drone interceptor production.”
UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against "shaheds" in the Middle East region. I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security. Ukraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people. Glory to Ukraine!”
RUSSIA
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov | Bernama
“These sites [Iran's nuclear facilities] are inviolable under all rules, since they fall under IAEA safeguards. They were bombed, and the IAEA remained silent, saying, 'Can I go and see what is left there?' This is an unprofessional approach, a politicised approach. But my point is that now, when the IAEA has been distributing its latest reports, it is also trying to rewrite history. And the new aggression we are witnessing now is also in the same vein.”
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