WASHINGTON, D.C. March 1, 2026 — U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared on Sunday that American military forces have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval vessels, vowing to target the remainder as part of a major joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The announcement was shared via the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter), quoting the President directly:
“I have just been informed that we have destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important. We are going after the rest — They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also!”
A longer version of Trump’s statement, originally posted on Truth Social and accompanied by a graphic featuring the President in a “45-47” cap, added that U.S. forces “largely destroyed” Iran’s naval headquarters in a separate strike. It concluded with the sarcastic remark: “Other than that, their Navy is doing very well!!”
The naval strikes form part of Operation Epic Fury, launched in coordination with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, 2026. The operations target Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, Revolutionary Guard command centres, air defences and leadership infrastructure. Strikes have already killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials, according to U.S. and Israeli confirmations.
U.S. Central Command has verified the sinking of at least one Jamaran-class corvette at a pier in Chah Bahar, Gulf of Oman, and confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers and naval assets, including Tomahawk missiles from the USS Thomas Hudner, have been used in the campaign.
Casualties reported so far
• United States: 3 service members killed in action, 5 seriously wounded.
• Iran : At least 201 killed and more than 700 injured (Iranian Red Crescent figures).
• Additional deaths reported in Israel (9), Kuwait (1), UAE (3) and Iraq (2) from Iranian retaliation.
Iran has described the attacks as an “open declaration of war against Muslims” and launched ballistic missiles at U.S. assets, including an unsuccessful strike on the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. Tehran has formed a three-member interim leadership council and vowed unrestricted defence of its territory.
The White House graphic accompanying the announcement has gone viral on X, amassing over 1.5 million views within hours.
Global markets are reacting sharply. Shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of the world’s oil supply. Analysts warn oil prices could surge past US$90 per barrel in the coming days, with potential ripple effects on energy-importing nations including Malaysia.
The White House has urged Iranian armed forces, IRGC members and police to “lay down your weapons” and offered amnesty to those who do so. President Trump has signalled openness to talks with any new Iranian leadership once “all objectives are achieved,” while stressing the operation remains a “righteous mission” to neutralise threats from Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments in this rapidly evolving situation.
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