White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered her first press briefing since the United States launched Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel against Iran, declaring that “under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the rogue Iranian terrorist regime is being absolutely crushed."
Leavitt said 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."
She reviewed past attacks attributed to Iran, stating that since 1979, the regime “has actively and intentionally facilitated the killings of Americans." She referenced the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran and the hostage crisis, the truck bombing in Beirut that killed 241 US service members, and attacks in Iraq in which American troops were killed and maimed.
“Prior leaders have been too weak and ineffective to address this threat," Leavitt said, criticizing past administrations and what she described as “stupid and naive deals that put Iran on the path of developing nuclear bombs."
Turning to Operation Epic Fury, Leavitt outlined four objectives she said President Trump had presented to the American people. The first, she said, was to “destroy the regime's deadly ballistic missiles and completely raze their missile industry to the ground." The second was to “annihilate the Iranian regime's navy."
According to Leavitt, US 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, she said, is to ensure that Iran’s “terrorist proxies in the region can no longer destabilize the region or the free world and attack our armed forces." The fourth is to “guarantee that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon."
“It’s safe to say that thus far, Operation Epic Fury has been a resounding success," Leavitt stated.
She said American forces have struck “more than 2,000 targets," destroying “hundreds and hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones." Citing the Department of War, she said the US expects “to have complete and total dominance over Iranian airspace in the coming hours."
Addressing criticism in the media, Leavitt referred to Operation Midnight Hammer, which she said “obliterated Iran's three major nuclear sites" last June. She asserted that Iran remained committed to rebuilding its nuclear program despite negotiations.
“The world knows this president's preference is always peace and diplomacy first," she said, but added that “the terrorist Iranian regime refused to negotiate in good faith."
Leavitt said US negotiators had offered to lift sanctions, provide nuclear fuel at no cost for a civil nuclear program, and support peaceful nuclear energy projects under a mutually agreed framework, on condition that Iran forfeit its enrichment capacity. “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."
“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.
Leavitt further stated that “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."
She also extended condolences to the families of six US service members killed in the operation. “These heroes represent the very best among us," she said. “They laid down their lives in defense of our country and we will never forget their legacy or their sacrifice."
Leavitt said President Trump intends to attend the dignified transfer of the fallen service members and that the Department of War is working on scheduling.
On efforts to assist Americans in the region, she stated that since the launch 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."
“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."
“The Trump administration will not rest until every American is home safely and until the terrorist threat from Iran has been completely destroyed," she concluded.