President Donald Trump defended the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran, declaring that America is seeing significant success as a result of the military strength rebuilt during his first administration. Speaking on March 7, 2026, at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida, Trump emphasized that the current operations demonstrate the effectiveness of his long-standing “peace through strength” doctrine.

“I rebuilt the military in my first administration, and now, we're using it. Unfortunately, we have to,” Trump told attendees, referring to the escalating conflict involving Iranian military assets. “We're doing very well in Iran. You see the result.” The president framed the operation as a necessary response to decades of aggression from the Iranian regime, pointing to what he described as a 47-year pattern of violence and destabilization throughout the Middle East.

Trump cited concrete results from Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure. According to the president, American forces have destroyed 42 Iranian naval vessels along with key strategic facilities believed to support Iran’s missile and nuclear development programs. These actions, he argued, are designed to degrade Tehran’s military capabilities and prevent further escalation that could threaten both American forces and allied nations.

The Shield of the Americas Summit, originally organized to strengthen hemispheric cooperation against transnational cartels and security threats in the Western Hemisphere, also became a stage for Trump to outline the broader strategic framework guiding U.S. foreign policy. The president reiterated that a strong military posture is essential not only to defend American interests but also to deter adversaries who rely on asymmetric warfare and proxy conflicts.

Trump also connected the current confrontation with Iran to the broader regional instability that has defined the Middle East for decades. Referencing the long history of Iranian-backed militant activity, he argued that decisive action now is intended to prevent further violence and ensure long-term security. The president specifically pointed to the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel as part of the broader environment of regional threats fueled by Iranian support for militant groups.

Throughout his remarks, Trump maintained that the United States does not seek prolonged conflict but will act decisively when necessary to neutralize threats. “They're bad people,” he said when describing Iran’s ruling leadership, adding that the current military campaign was unavoidable given the regime’s track record of violence and hostility. “Look at all of the killing they've done over the years—for 47 years. This had to be done.”

The administration’s strategy combines military pressure with diplomatic leverage, aiming to force Tehran to reconsider its pursuit of advanced weapons capabilities while reducing its ability to project power through proxy networks. Supporters of the approach argue that demonstrating overwhelming strength early in the confrontation can prevent a longer and more destructive conflict.

As Operation Epic Fury continues, the White House is signaling that the United States intends to maintain pressure on Iran until its military infrastructure and strategic capabilities are significantly degraded. Trump’s remarks at the summit reinforced the administration’s central message: rebuilding American military strength was not simply a domestic priority, but a strategic investment now being used to confront threats and restore deterrence on the global stage.