WASHINGTON, D.C. –April 24, 2026 – The White House today released footage of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s Fox News briefing, declaring that Operation Epic Fury has achieved its primary military objectives and shifted into a diplomatic phase to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
In the clip posted to the official @WhiteHouse X account, Leavitt credited President Donald Trump with taking action “no other President would for the last 47 years.”
“President Trump has been clear from the beginning what the objectives of this mission were,” Leavitt said. “We have significantly diminished Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities — which we have done. We have annihilated their navy — over 160 vessels are now sitting at the bottom of the sea.”
Launched on February 28, 2026, in coordination with Israel, the 38-day campaign struck more than 13,000 targets across Iran. U.S. forces destroyed Iran’s ballistic missile and drone stockpiles, sank the majority of its naval fleet, crippled defense infrastructure, and eliminated key leadership targets, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Leavitt emphasized that the operation has now transitioned from combat to diplomacy while keeping all military options on the table.
“We’ve now transitioned into this diplomatic phase to get that done through the means of a deal,” she stated. “We have military options and we’ll get to a place where Iran never obtains, possesses or moves nuclear material for many, many years — long after President Trump leaves office — and he deserves credit for doing so.”
Following the successful strikes, Iran agreed to a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz has reopened to international shipping, easing global oil market concerns. Senior Trump administration officials, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, are scheduled to travel to Pakistan tomorrow to continue diplomatic efforts.
The White House framed the operation as a landmark demonstration of “peace through strength,” marking the first time in nearly five decades a U.S. president has taken direct military action to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments as negotiations for a permanent nuclear agreement and regional peace framework progress.
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