What They’re Saying About Operation Epic Fury—March 9, 2026
U.S.
President Donald Trump | Telegraph
“We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough. We go forward, more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long-running danger once and for all.” Trump added: “It’s going to be finished pretty quickly.”
President Donald Trump | CBS News
"I think the war is very complete, pretty much," the President said, speaking from his Doral, Florida, golf club. "[Iran has] no navy, no communications, they've got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones."
President Donald Trump | Fox News
“These ships should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts... there’s nothing to be afraid of… they have no Navy, we sunk all their ships.”
“Russian and Iranian media claimed earlier today that a U.S. patriot missile missed while intercepting an Iranian missile or drone and inadvertently hit a neighborhood in Bahrain. LIE. What really happened: An Iranian drone struck a residential neighborhood, injuring 32 civilians in Bahrain, including children who required medical treatment, according to Bahrain’s government. TRUTH.”
“President Trump and the U.S. military have achieved total air and naval dominance. We’re seeing extraordinary success in Iran.”
“When it comes to the future of the region and that of the Iranian people, the son of the late murderous ayatollah is not the change we’re looking for. He has lived large as the Iranian people have suffered and he’s been on the front lines of pushing hate because he too is a religious Nazi. I believe it’s just a matter of time before he meets the same fate as that of his father — one of the most evil men on the planet. To the Iranian people: stand firm. Your liberation is at hand.”
“Finally, left media confronts Iran for executing up to 36,000 democracy demonstrators. 53 House members declined to label Iran a state sponsor of terror.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer | X
“Gas prices are surging all because of Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice in Iran. More broken promises, and the Trump administration doesn’t even pretend to care.”
IRAN
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian | X
“The valuable choice of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei is a manifestation of the people's will in governance.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | X
“His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may his sublime shadow endure) are every moment the shadow of our martyred Leader, and with the grace, assistance, and favor of Almighty God and under the auspices of His Excellency the Awaited Imam (may God hasten his appearance), they will steadfastly guide the ship of the Revolution along the path of the two Emams of the Revolution toward a prosperous, advanced, and unified Iran.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi | X
“9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared. And we, too, have many surprises in store.”
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani | X
“It is unlikely that any security will be achieved in the Strait of Hormuz amid the fires of the war ignited by the United States and Israel in the region, especially if that is by the design of parties that were not far removed from supporting this war and contributing to its fanning.”
ISRAEL
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz | CNN
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made clear his support for continued strikes on Lebanon. “From this point on, we must not only avoid retreating but seize the opportunity to strike Hezbollah.”
“Troops located and dismantled a Hezbollah rocket launcher used to fire toward Israel during operations in the area of southern Lebanon. During the activity, a Hezbollah terrorist involved in launching attacks toward Israel was eliminated.”
“Last night, the Iranian regime fired a cluster bomb at the Israeli city of Rishon Lezion—damaging multiple areas including a children’s playground. This is what we’re operating against.”
IDF International Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani | X
“This is your reminder that the Iranian terrorist regime is still firing cluster bombs at Israeli civilians. This is also your reminder that intentionally attacking civilians is a war crime. By using cluster munitions, the Iranian terrorist regime is trying to maximize its chances to kill Israeli civilians.”
IRAN PROXIES
Hezbollah | Agence France-Presse
Hezbollah welcomes the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, pledging allegiance after his predecessor and father Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks: “We in Hezbollah extend our warmest congratulations and blessings on this occasion. We renew our pledge of loyalty to this blessed approach and our steadfastness on the path of allegiance.”
Houthis | Agence France-Presse
“We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership and people, on the selection of Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at this important and pivotal juncture,” the group says in a statement on Telegram.
Kataib Hezbollah | Associated Press
The Kataib Hezbollah militia praises the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s supreme leader, calling him “a figure possessing the leadership qualifications and competence necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of this great trust in these critical times.”
GULF STATES
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani | Sky News
"It is a big sense of betrayal," he told me. "Just an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf countries have been attacked. We made clear that we were not going to take part in any wars against our neighbours." "All the attacks on the Gulf countries - we never expected this from our neighbour," he said. "We have always tried to preserve a good relationship with Iran, but the justifications and pretexts they are using are completely rejected."
Qatari Ministry of Defense | X
“The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that State of Qatar, until this afternoon, Monday, has been attacked by (17) ballistic missiles and (6) drones coming from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thanks to God, our armed forces successfully intercepted the (17) ballistic missiles, and the (6) drones without any causalities.”
UAE Foreign Ministry | Foreign Ministry Website
“The United Arab Emirates affirms that it is in a state of defense in response to the brutal and unprovoked Iranian aggression, which included the launch of more than 1,400 ballistic missiles and drones targeting infrastructure and civilian sites, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. These attacks constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, an infringement of the UAE’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security and stability.”
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah | Al Arabiya
“Our country has been subjected to a brutal attack by a neighboring Muslim country, which we consider a friend, even though we have not permitted the use of our land, airspace, or coasts for any military action against it, and we have repeatedly informed them of this through our diplomatic channels.” Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah also insisted on Kuwait’s “full and inherent right to self-defense.”
The Foreign Ministry reiterates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm condemnation of the Iranian attacks against the Kingdom and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as a number of Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries, which cannot be accepted or justified under any circumstances. The Kingdom affirms that it retains its full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and to deter aggression.
JORDAN
Jordanian Foreign Ministry | X
“Jordan strongly condemned today the Iranian attacks that targeted a residential facility in the city of Al-Kharj in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, resulting in the death of two innocent civilians and the injury of others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed in a statement Jordan's rejection and condemnation of these attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, emphasizing Jordan's absolute solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its stand with it in all steps it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens.”
LEBANON
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun | CNN
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun detailed his plan during a virtual meeting with European Union officials, in which he leveled sharp criticism at Hezbollah and Israel for what he called “an attempt to corner my country.” He accused Israel of showing “no respect for the laws of war, nor for international laws.” Calling the Shiite Muslim group “an armed faction … that places no value on Lebanon’s interest nor on the life of its people,” Aoun said Hezbollah, “wanted to achieve the fall of the State of Lebanon, under aggression and chaos.” He accused the group of working “for the sake of the calculations of the Iranian regime.”
INDIA
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar | Ministry of External Affairs Website
“As Hon’ble Members are aware, this round of conflict started on 28 February 2026. It has witnessed not only fighting between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other, but also attacks on a number of Gulf States. There have been numerous casualties, including at the leadership level in Iran, as well as destruction of infrastructure in the region.”
EUROPE
British Defence Minister John Healey MP | X
“I want to start by praising our Armed Forces, who are working 24/7 to protect British lives and British interests in the region. From our 400-strong air defence teams in Cyprus, who I visited last week… To our counter drone specialists in Iraq… Our fast jet pilots in Qatar… Our command specialists in the regional defence co-ordination centres… And everyone working on this crisis, abroad and at home. Iran threatens all of us. But it is our forces who feel it most acutely.”
French President Emmanuel Macron | Al Jazeera
French President Emmanuel Macron has said France and its allies are preparing a “purely defensive” mission to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz once the “most intense phase” of the US-Israeli war on Iran ends. Speaking in Cyprus on Monday, Macron said the “purely escort mission” must be prepared by both European and non-European countries. Its purpose “is to enable, as soon as possible after the most intense phase of the conflict has ended, the escort of container ships and tankers to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz”, the French president said, without providing further details.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas | X
Hezbollah’s decision to attack Israel in support of Iran endangers the entire region. Israel has the right to self-defence in line with international law. At the same time, Israel’s heavy-handed response is causing mass displacement and is further destabilising a fragile situation.
UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy | X
“I held a meeting with our negotiating team. It is important that we are in communication with the American side virtually 24/7. At the moment, the partners’ priority and all attention are focused on the situation around Iran, and because of this the meeting that had been planned for this week is being postponed at the proposal of the American side. However, Ukraine is ready for a meeting at any moment, in a format that can help and that will be realistic in terms of ending the war.”
RUSSIA
Russian President Vladimir Putin | Moscow Times
“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
CHINA
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun | Times of Israel
“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun tells a press conference. He says that the move to name a new leader “is a decision by the Iranian side based on its constitution.”
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