White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conducted her first press briefing since the start of “Operation Epic Fury,” outlining the administration’s objectives for the military campaign against Iran and fielding questions about the possible use of ground forces.
In the briefing, Leavitt underscored the severity of Iran’s previous attacks on American personnel. She said: “They slaughtered 241 U.S. service members with a truck bombing in Beirut. They killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq.”
She explained that the current operation is designed to significantly weaken Iran’s military strength and stop future assaults on U.S. troops and regional allies. While no final decisions have been made regarding ground troop deployment, she indicated that all necessary options remain under active consideration to safeguard American lives.
NBC News aired footage of the session, showing Leavitt detailing the administration’s focus on striking military infrastructure with precision while working to avoid civilian harm.
The press secretary reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to protecting its allies and preserving stability across the Middle East. She noted that intelligence evaluations and ongoing missions are aimed at compelling Iran to end its aggressive behavior.
Leavitt described the U.S. response as measured and proportionate to Iran’s history of hostility, with the ultimate aim of securing long-term regional safety. “We are prepared to act decisively to protect our forces and partners,” she declared, presenting the campaign as an essential measure to confront and contain threats originating from Tehran.
Watch the video below from 0:42 to 0:52