President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury has been a massive success, exceeding even his administration's high expectations. In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst, the President revealed that over 5,000 targets have been neutralized since the Feb. 28 launch. He credited the initial "breakfast attacks" for catching the regime off guard and knocking out 50% of Iran's missile capabilities before they could even be deployed.
"Way beyond expectation in terms of result this early," Trump told Yingst, sitting amidst the monitors of the White House operations center. He framed the pre-emptive strike as a gut-check for American leadership, noting that no other president had the courage to act so decisively. "It’s like a gun slinger, where he draws his gun first," Trump added, insisting that waiting even three days would have resulted in a direct attack on U.S. interests.
The President expressed deep dissatisfaction with the installation of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father. Trump noted that he does not believe the younger Khamenei is capable of living in peace or securing the approval needed for a stable future. "I don’t believe he can live in peace," Trump said, though he admitted he is hearing that the regime now wants to "talk badly" to avoid further destruction.
Intelligence reports from Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner indicated that Iran was boasting of having enough enriched uranium for 11 nuclear bombs. Trump called this a major strategic blunder by Tehran, essentially forcing the United States to act to protect the Middle East and the American homeland. "They should have just said, 'We're not going to build a nuclear missile'," the President remarked, noting that their nuclear aspirations made the military intervention a necessity.
Trump also addressed reports of a strike near a girls' school, which Iranian state media has used for propaganda purposes. He noted that the incident is currently under investigation and pointed out that many other actors in the region possess the same weaponry. "It’s only under investigation, but we are not the only ones with that particular rocket," Trump said, cautioning against accepting unverified claims from the regime.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the administration’s "Peace Through Strength" strategy appears to be gaining significant momentum on the world stage. By taking out the world's leading sponsor of terror, Trump is seeking to build a legacy of enduring security for American citizens. For the White House, the goal remains the total elimination of the nuclear threat and a more prosperous future for the region under acceptable leadership.