President Donald Trump voiced strong concerns over Iran’s appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike at the start of Operation Epic Fury. Trump said he does not believe the new leader “can live in peace” and noted that U.S. military actions have exceeded expectations early in the campaign.
In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that Iran would face consequences “twenty times harder” if it attempts to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the United States could target critical sites that would make it nearly impossible for Iran to rebuild, though he emphasized he hopes escalation does not reach that point.
Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28 by U.S. and Israeli forces, has targeted thousands of locations across Iran. According to U.S. Central Command, more than 5,000 sites were hit within the first ten days, including military headquarters, missile facilities, naval assets, and air defense systems.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the campaign as highly successful, stating that over 7,000 targets have now been struck. He said Iran’s military infrastructure has been significantly weakened, with missile production capabilities reduced and naval forces heavily damaged.
Hegseth also reported that attacks against U.S. forces have dropped sharply, suggesting Iran’s ability to respond has been degraded. Despite this, officials caution that Iran may continue limited strikes. The situation remains volatile as military operations continue and tensions persist.
