Bret Baier said that the timing of recent U.S. military strikes ordered by Donald Trump against Iran was especially notable because they occurred after sunrise, making American aircraft more visible and potentially more vulnerable. He discussed these developments during an appearance on America’s Newsroom, where he shared details from a recent phone conversation with the president regarding the ongoing campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
According to Baier, Trump expressed overall satisfaction with how the operation is progressing. While acknowledging the loss of life and the likelihood of further casualties, the president reportedly emphasized that the mission is advancing faster than initially expected. Baier explained that Trump described the level of intelligence gathered so far as “truly amazing,” suggesting that U.S. forces have had unusually detailed insight into events on the ground in Iran.
Baier also relayed Trump’s belief that internal dynamics within Iran could play a role in what happens next. When asked whether there were individuals inside Iran who might rise up, Trump reportedly said he believed that possibility existed. However, he also claimed that some key figures were no longer alive, referencing the reported elimination of dozens of leaders. According to Baier, Trump said that as many as 49 members of Iran’s leadership had been taken out, significantly disrupting the country’s chain of command.
The president reportedly noted that a process expected to take several weeks—removing key leadership figures—had happened much faster than anticipated. He suggested that Iranian officials had gathered in ways that made them vulnerable, assuming they were safe due to typical military patterns, such as avoiding attacks in the morning because of environmental factors like sunlight and wind.
Baier highlighted Trump’s comments about the uncertainty now facing Iran’s leadership structure, saying that replacements are being considered who may not even be widely known within their own system. This, he suggested, reflects how deeply the leadership ranks have been affected.
Finally, Baier said Trump pointed to situations like Venezuela as a possible model for what could follow, implying that the U.S. had anticipated potential political shifts inside Iran. Trump also praised U.S. military leadership, including top officials overseeing the operation, and reiterated his confidence in the strength and effectiveness of American forces.
Overall, Baier concluded that the president views the operation as ahead of schedule and progressing according to a broader strategic plan.