What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 7, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“Today Iran will be hit very hard!” he wrote on Truth Social Saturday morning. “Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.” “It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries,” he said. “They have said, ‘Thank you President Trump.’ I have said, ‘You’re welcome!’ Iran is no longer the ‘Bully of the Middle East,’ they are, instead, ‘THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,’ and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!”
President Donald Trump | Truth Social
“Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack. They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East.”
“I rebuilt the military in my first administration, and now, we're using it. Unfortunately, we have to... We're doing very well in Iran. You see the result... They're bad people. Look at all of the killing they've done over the years—for 47 years. This had to be done.”
“U.S. forces have struck over 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, and we are not slowing down.”
“First the Iranian regime claimed and re-claimed (five days in a row) that it sank USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Now, the regime claims the aircraft carrier has miraculously resurfaced and "left the battlefield" after "encountering Iranian missiles and drones."”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
Donald Trump is hellbent on escalating his reckless war and is now considering putting US boots on the ground in Iran. The American people do not want more war in the Middle East. No boots on the ground. No more war.
ISRAEL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Times of Israel
The war against Iran will continue unabated and without compromises, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement. Israel has “an organized plan with many surprises” for the next phase of the war with Iran, says Netanyahu, “to destabilize the regime, to enable change.” He says to IRGC members, “You are also in our sights. Whoever puts his weapon down, no harm will come to him. Whoever doesn’t do that, his blood is on his head.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Turning to the Iranian people, Netanyahu says, “The moment of truth is drawing near.” Israel is “not trying to divide Iran,” he says, “we are trying to free Iran.”
“Several Fuel Storage Complexes Belonging to the IRGC in Tehran Guided by IDF intelligence, the IAF struck these complexes, where the Iranian terrorist regime would distribute fuel to multiple military entities in Iran. The strike significantly deepens the damage to the military infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz | Reuters
“If the choice is between protecting our civilians and our soldiers or protecting the state of Lebanon – we will choose the protection of our civilians and soldiers, and the Lebanese government and Lebanon will pay a very heavy price.”
IRAN
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian | Al Jazeera
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said neighbouring countries will no longer be targeted unless an attack originates from there, as the war launched by the United States and Israel, which triggered sustained retaliation from Tehran across the Gulf and beyond, enters its second week.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized the preservation and continuation of friendly relations with the governments of the region based on good neighborliness and mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This does not negate Iran's inherent right to defend itself against military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi | X
“President Pezeshkian expressed openness to de-escalation within our region-provided that our neighbors' airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People. Gesture to our neighbors was almost immediately killed by President Trump.”
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani | X
“When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond — and we will continue to respond. This is our right and a standing policy. Regional countries must either prevent the US from using their territory against Iran, or we will have no choice but to do it ourselves.”
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi | Reuters
European Union member states that join the U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran would become "legitimate targets" for Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in an interview with TV station France 24. "Any country that joins in the aggression against Iran, joins America and Israel in the aggression against Iran, definitely, they will be also legitimate targets for Iran retaliation," Takht-Ravanchi said.
Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei | Associated Press
“The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
The defense policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran are consistent, based on the guidelines of our martyred Imam. As long as the presence of U.S. bases in the region continue, the countries will not enjoy peace. Iranian officials and people are united on this principle.
GULF STATES
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Foreign Ministry Website
“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the unprovoked Iranian attack targeting buildings in the Kingdom of Bahrain that house personnel from the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces participating in the Unified Naval Operations Center, under the Joint Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this assault constitutes a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and a threat to its security and stability. This also represents a serious escalation affecting the security of GCC countries and the wider region.”
“His Excellency Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, held discussions with the defence ministers of a number of countries, focusing on developments in the region, the blatant Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates, and ways to strengthen defence partnerships and expand areas of joint defence cooperation.”
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | Arab News
Bahrain is committed to the "path of peace" King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said on Saturday as the kingdom continued to be targeted by Iranian attacks. Bahrain supports efforts that "enhance security and stability in the region and the world," the king said during a phone call with Spain's King Felipe VI. "The people of the Kingdom of Bahrain are peaceful and believe in tolerance and coexistence," Bahrain News Agency reported him saying.
“His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, met in Riyadh with His Excellency General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistani Army and Commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces. During the meeting, they discussed the Iranian aggressions against the Kingdom within the framework of the strategic defense agreement between the two brotherly countries, and ways to stop these aggressions that do not serve the security and stability of the region. Both sides expressed their hope that the Iranian side would prevail with wisdom and the voice of reason, and to stay away from misguided calculations.”
Saudi Ministry of Defense | Al Jazeera
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense has said it has intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base in al-Kharj, as the United States and Israel’s war on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation on Gulf states housing US assets continue to engulf the region. The ministry also said that it intercepted six drones heading towards the Shaybah oilfield. Earlier, the ministry said a drone was intercepted and destroyed east of Riyadh city.
Qatari Defense Ministry | Al Jazeera
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said “armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted” the country on Saturday. It did not elaborate on how many missiles were involved or what the target was. The Qatari Ministry of Defence had said the country came under a wave of drone attacks on Friday, with 10 drones fired from Iran. Nine of them were intercepted and destroyed, but one managed to reach the ground and land in a remote area.
JORDAN
Jordanian Military Spokesman Brigadier General Mustafa | Al Jazeera
Jordan accused Iran on Saturday of directly targeting sites in the kingdom, firing 119 missiles and drones in the week since US-Israeli strikes triggered a regional war. Jordanian military spokesman Brigadier General Mustafa Hayari told a news conference that 108 of the projectiles had been intercepted. “These missiles and drones were targeting vital installations inside Jordan and were not passing through our territories,” he said.
EUROPE
“The United States has started using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk. RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets have continued air operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus and the wider region in defence of British interests and allies.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul | Deutschland.de
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has described the ongoing war in Iran as having “dramatic” consequences in some areas. Against the background of the regional impact of the conflict, Wadephul also raised concerns about a new wave of refugees heading towards Europe. . . . Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also warned that a long war in Iran could have uncontrollable consequences.
UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“I spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. We discussed the security situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region – the existing challenges and countering threats from the Iranian regime. Ukrainians have been fighting against “shahed” drones for years now, and everyone recognizes that no other country in the world has this kind of experience. We are ready to help, and we expect that our people will also receive the support they need. Protecting life must be a shared priority, and it is very important to coordinate for security both in Europe and in the Middle East.”
RUSSIA
Russian President Vladimir Putin | X
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, offering his condolences over the death of the Iranian regime’s supreme leader and other victims of what he called the “armed Israeli-American aggression against Iran.” A statement from the Kremlin said Putin confirmed Russia’s position regarding the necessity to resolve the conflict as soon as possible and promised the two would continue to remain in touch.
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