President Trump Declares Operation Epic Fury a Success

In a national address on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump described Operation Epic Fury as a military success that is “nearing completion.”

Seemingly in a celebratory mood, President Trump commended the U.S. military for achieving a “swift, decisive, and overwhelming victory on the battlefield.” He claimed the conflict is expected to drag on for several more weeks, suggesting a return to a previous state for Iran, stating they should “go back to the Stone Age.”

His remarks were positively received by some in the U.S., including Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who called it “the best speech I could have hoped for.” However, these comments did not sit well with the remaining forces of the Iranian regime.

According to the state-run Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iranian army chief Amir Khatami instructed his subordinates to closely watch enemy activities, hinting that “no one should survive” should a ground invasion occur.

Khatami’s statements painted Trump’s speech as a sign that the U.S. and Israel aimed to erase Iran’s presence entirely.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, reiterated their resolve, asserting that Iranians would fight to protect their homeland. He emphasized, “We are not warmongers, but when the time comes, we are all soldiers.” He even claimed that about seven million Iranians are ready to take up arms, challenging opponents to “just give it a try.”

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, who speaks for the central command of Khatam al-Anbiya, commented in a video statement that American and Israeli intelligence on Iran is “incomplete,” suggesting their miscalculations could lead to severe consequences.

Military commander Seyyed Majid Mousavi accused the U.S. of sending soldiers to their graves, countering the idea that Iran is heading back to primitive times—calling the notion a result of “Hollywood delusions.”

While the Iranian leadership reacted negatively, financial markets also felt the impact. Brent crude oil prices rose significantly, jumping from under $100 a barrel to over $108 following Trump’s address, while the Dow Jones and other indexes saw notable declines.

Simultaneously, the U.S. sustained airstrikes on Iran, leading to injuries among Iranian officials involved in negotiations with U.S. representatives.

In a tense turn of events, Iran launched missile attacks directed at Israel and nearby Arab nations the following day.