In a March 13, 2026, interview with Logan Paul, President Donald Trump defended U.S. military strikes on Iran, describing them as a necessary response to decades of regime-sponsored terrorism. Trump stated, “We did this excursion. We had to do it, wipe out evil... they've been killing people in the most violent way. The roadside bombs all over the place, 95% of them are from Iran... people have waited for 47 years for it to happen, so we have to do it right.”

The president referenced the longstanding impact of Iranian-backed attacks, including the extensive use of roadside bombs in Iraq, which he claims were overwhelmingly supplied or influenced by Tehran. Trump also alluded to the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani as a precedent for decisive action against Iranian military leaders and proxy operations in the region.

Trump’s remarks are consistent with the broader strategy of Operation Epic Fury, launched March 1, 2026. The operation involves U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile infrastructure, and strategic facilities such as oil storage on Kharg Island. Now in its 14th day, the campaign aims to significantly degrade Iran’s military and strategic capabilities, with U.S. officials framing the objective as compelling the Iranian regime toward unconditional surrender.

The president emphasized that the strikes represent both a tactical and historical necessity. He framed the campaign as the culmination of nearly half a century of unresolved threats, with the goal of eliminating the regime’s ability to sponsor attacks against U.S. personnel, allies, and civilian populations in the Middle East.

Military analysts note that Trump’s rhetoric aligns closely with the objectives of Epic Fury: degrading Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, neutralizing regional proxies, and demonstrating U.S. resolve to deter future aggression. His comments underscore a broader narrative that frames the current campaign not merely as a tactical response but as a strategic effort to end longstanding Iranian threats.

Trump’s interview signals to both domestic and international audiences that the administration views the ongoing strikes as a moral and operational imperative, emphasizing the need for decisive action to secure stability in Iraq, the Gulf, and beyond. The remarks also reinforce the administration’s portrayal of the operation as a continuation of efforts initiated under previous actions against Iran, highlighting a consistent U.S. strategy of maximum pressure combined with targeted precision strikes.