U.S. President Donald Trump predicted that the military operation against Iran, named 'Epic Fury,' would last up to four weeks. He also stated, "The attack on Iran will continue until all objectives are achieved."
In an interview with the British Daily Mail on the 1st, President Trump said regarding the attack on Iran, "It has always been a four-week process. We expected it to be around four weeks," adding, "Given that it is a large country, it will take around four weeks, or perhaps even less."
President Trump expressed hope that democracy would grow in Iran following this attack, stating, "Watching this will be very interesting. Many very positive things could happen."
In a phone interview with a CNBC reporter, President Trump said, "The operation is progressing in a very positive direction," adding, "Everything is ahead of schedule." This is interpreted as meaning that the results of this operation, such as the large-scale airstrikes the previous day that eliminated key figures in Iran's leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, 86 years old, are emerging earlier than expected.
He described Iran as "a very violent regime, one of the most violent in history," stating, "We are carrying out our mission not only for ourselves but for the world." He also conveyed that the operation is "progressing in a very positive direction" and that potential exits to end the operation depend on various factors.
In a Fox News interview, he also stated, "The situation is progressing rapidly," adding, "No one will believe the success we are achieving. A single attack eliminated 48 Iranian leaders."
He also stated a willingness to engage in dialogue with the new Iranian leadership. In an interview with U.S. weekly news magazine The Atlantic, President Trump said, "They want dialogue, and I have agreed to dialogue. Therefore, I will talk to them." In an NBC broadcast interview, he mentioned that if Iran meets U.S. demands, the attacks could be halted, but "so far, they have failed to do so."
Regarding the deaths of three U.S. soldiers in Iran's retaliatory attack, he said, "We mourn the patriots who made sacrifices for their country," adding, "We will do everything possible to prevent such incidents, but unfortunately, there will be more sacrifices until this operation ends."
President Trump stated, "The U.S. will take the strongest possible action to avenge the deaths of our fallen soldiers and strike against terrorists who have effectively declared war on Western civilization itself," adding, "Our resolve, along with Israel's, is stronger than ever." He emphasized, "An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a fatal threat to all Americans," and "We cannot allow a country that breeds terrorist armies to possess such weapons. We will not tolerate intimidation of the world with malicious intent."
