President Trump declared Monday that U.S. military strikes against Iran will intensify dramatically, warning that “the big one is coming” as Operation Epic Fury enters its third day. The president confirmed he would not rule out deploying American ground troops to the Islamic Republic if necessary, marking a significant escalation in rhetoric as six U.S. service members have already been killed in Iranian counterstrikes.
Military Campaign Escalates After Leadership Strike
The operation began over the weekend with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials. American forces have struck more than 1,250 targets across the Alaska-sized nation of 90 million people, destroying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters, ballistic missile sites, naval vessels, and command centers. The assault completely eliminated Iran’s Gulf of Oman fleet, reducing it from 11 ships to zero, according to U.S. Central Command.
Trump told CNN that America has not yet deployed its full military capability against Tehran. “We’re knocking the crap out of them,” he said. “We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the warning, telling Capitol Hill reporters that “the next phase will be even more punishing on Iran than it is right now.”
Casualties Mount on Both Sides
The conflict has already cost American lives and equipment. All six U.S. casualties occurred when Iran struck Kuwait, where American forces are staging operations. The military also lost three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets worth $31 million each after Kuwaiti air defenses accidentally shot them down. Iran has retaliated against every U.S. regional ally, launching drones and ballistic missiles at Persian Gulf nations, Iraq, Israel, and Cyprus.
Four Clear Objectives Outlined
Trump outlined four mission goals: destroying Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, eliminating its naval capacity, preventing nuclear weapon development, and ensuring Tehran cannot fund or direct terrorist organizations beyond its borders. The president estimated the campaign would last four to five weeks but acknowledged it could extend longer, especially after Iranian officials vowed to wage a “long war.” Trump warned Iranian civilians to remain indoors until operations conclude, stating “It’s not safe out there.” Rubio committed to achieving all objectives regardless of timeline, declaring “the world will be a safer place when we’re done with this operation.”