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White House says 'Operation Epic Fury' is progressing as diplomacy continues with Iran
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Summary
Press secretary Caroline said the U.S.-led Operation Epic Fury has degraded Iran's military capabilities and that talks are ongoing; she reiterated a 4–6 week timeline estimate and said the president paused some strikes to create room for negotiation.
Press Secretary Caroline said the administration's campaign, described in the briefing as "Operation Epic Fury," has inflicted significant damage on Iranian military and industrial targets while diplomacy continues.
In her opening remarks, Caroline said the United States has "struck more than 11,000 enemy targets" and that U.S. and allied forces have conducted "more than 11,000 successful combat flights." She also stated the U.S. has "destroyed more than 150" Iranian naval vessels and struck production facilities, reducing Iran's ability to project force.
Why it matters: The administration framed military pressure and private negotiations as complementary tools to compel Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions and halt attacks. Caroline said President Trump issued a pause on planned strikes of Iranian power and energy infrastructure to allow room for negotiations, calling it a "once in a generation opportunity" for Iran to come to the table.
On timing and objectives, Caroline reiterated the administration and Pentagon estimate that the operation's timeline is roughly four to six weeks and said the U.S. remains on "day 30" of the operation. "The mission will continue until the objectives are achieved," she said, listing the administration's stated goals: destroy Iran's naval capabilities, dismantle missile and drone production capacity, neutralize ballistic missiles and prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.
When asked how the administration verifies that Iran's negotiators can deliver, Caroline said privately negotiated commitments will be "tested" and that the U.S. would hold Iran accountable to its private assurances; she also warned of military consequences if Iran fails to meet terms. "Anything that they say to us privately will be tested, and we will ensure that they are being held accountable to their word," she said.
On legality and targeting, a reporter asked whether threats to strike civilian infrastructure risk violating international law. Caroline responded that the United States and its armed forces "will always act within the confines of the law," and framed the president's statements as a means of increasing leverage in negotiations.
What remains unclear: Several of the numerical claims repeated in the briefing were offered as the administration's account and were not independently verified in the briefing transcript. The press secretary declined to detail the private terms being discussed.
Next steps: Caroline said she would take further questions as negotiations continue; the administration said it will monitor Iran's compliance with any private commitments and that the military option remains available if talks fail.
