President Donald Trump of the United States has announced that the military operation dubbed “Epic Fury” against the Iranian regime is progressing at a pace quicker than initially anticipated. This development comes amid escalating tensions that have reshaped the political landscape in the Middle East.
In interviews with American media outlets, Trump revealed that the joint campaign with Israel is advancing “ahead of schedule,” just a day after airstrikes resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been at the helm of the Islamic Republic since 1989, as reported by EFE.
The President emphasized that the operation is outpacing the original timeline set by the Pentagon, suggesting that events are unfolding at a faster rate than expected.
Speaking with CBC and The Atlantic, Trump also expressed willingness to engage in negotiations with new leadership emerging after Khamenei’s demise. He criticized Tehran for “waiting too long” to strike a deal in nuclear talks, noting that some former negotiation partners are no longer alive.
On his Truth Social account, Trump declared that U.S. forces had destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval vessels, some of which were significant in size and strategic importance. He added that other targets are being pursued and “will soon join them at the bottom of the sea.”
Moreover, he stated that a separate attack had largely obliterated the headquarters of Iran’s naval command.
According to the United States Central Command, three American soldiers were killed and five others were critically injured during the operation. The coordinated bombings with Israel began on Saturday and have continued with successive waves targeting strategic sites.
In the wake of Khamenei’s death, Iran has vowed to retaliate, launching attacks against several of Washington’s allied nations in the region, where the U.S. maintains military bases. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities are working to establish a transitional mechanism, appointing a triumvirate to oversee the succession process.
This offensive occurs despite ongoing contacts between Washington and Tehran for a potential new nuclear agreement. Domestically, some Democratic factions have criticized the lack of prior notification to Congress, emphasizing the legislative branch’s constitutional role in authorizing overseas military interventions.
From his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump continues to oversee operations and defend his strategy, which he repeatedly asserts aims to decisively weaken the Iranian regime.
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