Trump’s Nine-Word Order Approved “Operation Epic Fury,” Says Joint Chiefs Chairman

U.S. President Donald Trump gave the final authorization for the massive air campaign against Iran with a brief nine-word directive, according to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Caine revealed that the final approval came from the White House at 3:38 p.m. on Friday while Trump was aboard Air Force One.

“The president’s exact words were: ‘Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck,’” Caine said.

The coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering heightened tensions across the Middle East. Iranian authorities have since expanded retaliatory attacks. Officials said six service members were killed in Iranian counterstrikes, with several others injured.

According to a report by CNN, Trump issued the order while flying to Corpus Christi, Texas. Notably, after landing, he avoided directly confirming the decision when questioned by reporters about the strikes.

“I don’t want to say that now,” Trump said with a smile. “If I did, it would be the greatest scoop in history, wouldn’t it?”

In an interview with The New York Times and later during a briefing, Trump indicated that operations against Iran could last four to five weeks. He expressed confidence in the campaign’s sustainability, saying, “It won’t be very difficult. We have plenty of ammunition spread all over the world.”

Defense Secretary Hegseth rejected characterizations of the operation as a “regime change” war, insisting it would not resemble the prolonged conflict in Iraq. However, he acknowledged that the operation had already altered Iran’s governing structure and argued that the world is now safer as a result.

The military campaign reportedly began Saturday at 9:45 a.m. local time, with more than 100 warplanes participating in the initial wave of strikes.

As the operation continues, global attention remains fixed on whether the conflict will escalate further or shift toward diplomatic efforts.