The White House said Wednesday that the United States and Israel have dealt major blows to Iran since launching Operation Epic Fury, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declaring that the Iranian regime is being decisively defeated under President Trump’s leadership.
Speaking at her first press briefing since the military campaign began, Leavitt said the offensive marks a turning point in America’s posture toward Iran. She told reporters that “under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the rogue Iranian terrorist regime is being absolutely crushed.”
Leavitt said the current operation represents the end of decades in which Iran was allowed to sponsor terrorism without facing sufficient consequences. She stated that “47 years of tolerating and enabling the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism are over,” adding that “Iran’s murderous terrorist leaders are paying for their crimes against America, and they are paying in blood.”
Reviewing Iran’s record of attacks against Americans, Leavitt said the regime has long been responsible for violence targeting the United States. She noted that since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Tehran “has actively and intentionally facilitated the killings of Americans.” She cited several examples, including the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the resulting hostage crisis, the Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 American service members, and attacks in Iraq that left American troops dead or seriously wounded.
Leavitt also criticized previous administrations for what she described as failing to confront the threat posed by Iran. “Prior leaders have been too weak and ineffective to address this threat,” she said, adding that earlier governments pursued “stupid and naive deals that put Iran on the path of developing nuclear bombs.”
Turning to the ongoing military campaign, Leavitt said President Trump outlined four major objectives when launching Operation Epic Fury. She said the first goal was to “destroy the regime’s deadly ballistic missiles and completely raze their missile industry to the ground.” The second aim, she said, was to “annihilate the Iranian regime’s navy.”
According to Leavitt, American forces have already inflicted heavy damage on Iran’s naval capabilities. She said U.S. forces have “destroyed more than 20 Iranian ships, including their top submarine last night, using a torpedo for the first time since World War II.” She added that “there is not a single Iranian ship underway in the Arab Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or the Gulf of Oman.”
The third objective of the campaign, she said, is to ensure that Iran’s network of proxy forces can no longer threaten regional stability or target American personnel. In her words, the goal is to make sure Iran’s “terrorist proxies in the region can no longer destabilize the region or the free world and attack our armed forces.” The fourth objective is to “guarantee that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
Summing up the campaign’s progress so far, Leavitt said the operation has already achieved significant success. “It’s safe to say that thus far, Operation Epic Fury has been a resounding success,” she stated.
She said U.S. forces have already carried out widespread strikes throughout Iran. According to Leavitt, American aircraft and missiles have hit “more than 2,000 targets,” eliminating “hundreds and hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones.” She also said the Department of War expects the United States and Israel “to have complete and total dominance over Iranian airspace in the coming hours.”
Responding to critics, Leavitt referenced a previous U.S. operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. She pointed to Operation Midnight Hammer, which she said “obliterated Iran’s three major nuclear sites” last June. Despite that blow, she argued that Iran continued efforts to rebuild its nuclear program even while engaging in negotiations.
“The world knows this president’s preference is always peace and diplomacy first,” she said, while emphasizing that “the terrorist Iranian regime refused to negotiate in good faith.”
Leavitt said the United States had presented Iran with multiple proposals aimed at resolving the nuclear dispute peacefully. According to her, American negotiators offered sanctions relief, free nuclear fuel for a civilian energy program, and assistance with peaceful nuclear energy development within an agreed framework.
She said those proposals required only one key concession from Tehran: “Yet in response, Iran would have to forfeit their enrichment capacity once and for all. But Iran rejected. They accepted none of these generous and unprecedented offers by the United States.”
Leavitt argued that Iran refused the diplomatic route because its leadership remained determined to pursue nuclear weapons. “Iran rejected the path of peace because the terrorist in charge of this regime wanted to build nuclear weapons to use against Americans and our allies,” she said.
She also said the military campaign has already removed many senior Iranian leaders from power. According to Leavitt, “49 and counting of the most senior Iranian regime leaders, including the Supreme Leader, have already been wiped off the face of the earth.” She added, “When President Trump makes a threat … President Trump does not bluff.”
During the briefing, Leavitt also addressed the loss of American service members in the conflict. She offered condolences to the families of six troops who were killed during the operation, saying, “These heroes represent the very best among us.” She continued, “They laid down their lives in defense of our country and we will never forget their legacy or their sacrifice.”
Leavitt said President Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen service members, adding that the Department of War is currently coordinating the timing of the event.
She also discussed efforts to evacuate Americans from the Middle East as the conflict continues. According to Leavitt, since the start of Operation Epic Fury, “more than 17,500 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle East,” including “over 8,500 American citizens returning home to the United States just yesterday alone.”
For Americans still in the region seeking to return home, Leavitt said the administration is working to assist them quickly. “If you are a US citizen in the Middle East looking to return to the United States, the Secretary of State asks that you please register with the State Department at step.state.gov,” Leavitt said. She added that the administration is “rapidly chartering flights free of charge and booking commercial options.”
Leavitt concluded by saying the administration will continue its efforts until both objectives are achieved: bringing Americans home safely and eliminating the threat posed by Iran. “The Trump administration will not rest until every American is home safely and until the terrorist threat from Iran has been completely destroyed,” she said.
{Matzav.com}
