United States President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Operation Epic Fury against Iran will continue and would carry on until all of Washington's objectives are achieved.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," Trump said in a video posted on Truth Social.
"We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems," he stated, adding that "just now, it was announced that we knocked out nine ships plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes."
Iran could have made a deal two weeks ago, he stated, but Iranian leadership "just couldn't get here."
He also confirmed that three US service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans and "deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against civilization."
Trump asserted that the undertaking of military action against the Iranian regime was "the duty and the burden of a free people."
"These actions are right, and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats," he said, adding that the threats will not be allowed to continue any longer.
'Wretched, Vile' Ayatollah Khamenei killed
Trump additionally touched upon the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"This wretched and vile man had the blood of hundreds and thousands of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless thousands of innocent people all across many countries."
He urged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian military, and police to lay down arms and receive immunity or face certain death.
Trump reiterated a call to all Iranian people who "yearn for freedom" to "be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back [their] country."
"America is with you," he assured. "I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, but we'll be there to help."