What They’re Saying About Operations Epic and Economic Fury and Project Freedom—May 22, 2026

U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Conference

“There’s been some slight progress [in the negotiations with the Iranian regime].”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Press Conference

“The fundamentals remain the same: Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. To achieve that, we’ll address the issue of enrichment and the Strait. Iran is trying to create a tolling system. There’s not a country in the world that should accept that.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio | NATO Press Conference

“We would all love to see an agreement with Iran, in which the Straits are open and they abandon their nuclear ambitions. But we also have to have a plan B. What if Iran refuses to open the Straits? At that point, something has to be done about it.”

Central Command | X

“U.S. forces have redirected 97 commercial vessels and disabled 4 since the start of the blockade.”

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast | Comments to Journalists

“I’m an American. I don't believe in getting hit and walking away and pretending as though it didn't happen.”

House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks | Comments to Journalists

“We had the votes without question [to pass an Iran War Powers resolution in the House of Representative] and they knew it, and as a result they’re playing a political game.”

Sen. Thom Tillis | Comments to Journalists

“The current status quo, Pete Hegseth demonstrates how incompetent he is.”

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick | Comments to Journalists

“We’re past 60 days so it’s [the Iran war] got to be brought to us to vote on. We’re following the law.”

GULF STATES

UAE Foreign Ministry | Statement

“The United Arab Emirates welcomed the adoption by the World Health Assembly (the highest decision-making body within the World Health Organization) during its current session of a resolution submitted by the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan concerning the health repercussions of treacherous terrorist attacks targeting civilians and vital civilian infrastructure, including health facilities. . . . The resolution also included the strongest condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran against civilians and civilian objects, including vital and essential infrastructure in the GCC countries and Jordan, which resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and damage to health and medical infrastructure, desalination plants, energy facilities, airports, and seaports.”

UAE Foreign Ministry | Statement

“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomes the decision of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), to adopt a resolution during its 111th session, that was proposed by the UAE and co-sponsored by many member States. Through the resolution, Member States have expressed grave concern of Iran’s use of drones, missiles and sea mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and the serious threat posed to safe navigation and seafarers.”

EUROPE

Council of the European Union | Press Release

“The Council decided today to extend the scope of EU’s restrictive measures originally established to address Tehran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and various armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. The amended sanctions framework will now also target individuals and entities involved in Iran’s actions and policies threatening the freedom of navigation in the Middle East. . . . Thanks to the amended legal framework, the EU will now be able to introduce further restrictive measures in response to Iran’s actions undermining the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Such restrictive measures consist of travel restrictions that prohibit listed individual and entities from entering or transiting through EU territories, and an asset freeze. In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to listed individual and entities.”