The president said the operation is aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders and preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons. He added that U.S. forces would continue actions to achieve these objectives.
“I’ve made clear from the beginning of Operation Epic Fury that we will continue until our objectives are fully achieved,” Trump said. “I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly. We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks — we’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age, where they belong.”
According to the statement, U.S. operations began on February 28 with goals including targeting Iranian missile capabilities, naval forces and security infrastructure. The campaign also seeks to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.
Trump said U.S. forces have conducted operations against multiple Iranian military capabilities during the campaign. He said these actions are intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten the United States or operate beyond its borders.
“We are systematically dismantling the regime’s ability to threaten America or project power outside of their borders,” he said. “That means eliminating Iran’s navy, which is now absolutely destroyed, hurting their air force and their missile program at levels never seen before, and annihilating their defense industrial base. We’ve done all of it; their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their missiles are just about used up or beaten.”
According to U.S. Central Command, more than 12,300 sites in Iran have been struck since the start of the operation. The command also reported over 13,000 combat flights and more than 155 Iranian military vessels damaged or destroyed.
The president acknowledged the loss of U.S. service members during the campaign and paid tribute to those killed. He said their sacrifice should be recognised as the operation continues.
“We think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives in this fight to prevent our children from ever having to face a nuclear Iran,” Trump said. “Twice this past month, I have traveled to Dover Air Force Base, [in Delaware]. … I wanted to be with those heroes as they return to American soil. And I was with them and their families, their parents, their wives, their husbands. We salute them, and now we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives.”
Trump also thanked regional allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, for their support. He said the United States would continue to support those partners.
“They’ve been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape or form,” he said.
The president compared the duration of the operation with previous conflicts, noting that it has lasted 32 days. He said the campaign has significantly reduced Iran’s military capabilities.
“We are in this military operation — so powerful, so brilliant — against one of the most powerful countries, for 32 days,” he said. “And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat. They were the bully of the Middle East, but they’re the bully no longer.”
Trump said the United States is approaching the conclusion of the operation and outlined expected outcomes. He added that the results could influence future security conditions for the United States and its allies.
“Because of the actions we have taken, we are on the cusp of ending Iran’s sinister threat to America and the world,” he said. “And I’ll tell you, the world is watching. And when it’s all over, the United States will be safer, stronger, more prosperous and greater than it has ever been before.”
