The United States’ military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, has entered its eleventh day, with President Donald Trump stating that the operation is progressing faster than originally expected and achieving major military objectives. Speaking during a meeting with House Republicans at their annual retreat in Miami, Trump said that U.S. forces have carried out some of the most powerful and complex military strikes seen in modern warfare.
According to the president, American forces have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities over the past several days. Trump said the United States has wiped out major Iranian forces involved in the conflict and destroyed much of the country’s naval power. He added that the military campaign has focused heavily on Iran’s drone and missile capabilities, which have been key components of the country’s regional military strategy.
Trump explained that U.S. forces continue to target Iran’s drone manufacturing infrastructure, with additional strikes beginning again on Monday. He said the campaign has already significantly reduced Iran’s drone capacity and disrupted production facilities responsible for building new drones. In addition, two levels of Iranian leadership connected to the military command structure have reportedly been eliminated during the operation, weakening Iran’s operational coordination.
During the Miami retreat, Trump told Republican lawmakers that Operation Epic Fury is moving well ahead of its original timeline. Initial projections had suggested that the campaign could take four to five weeks to achieve its objectives, but the president indicated that the mission is progressing much faster than anticipated.
New York Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis confirmed that Trump briefed lawmakers on the progress of the operation during the meeting. According to Malliotakis, the president said military objectives are being achieved quickly and that the administration does not expect the conflict to become a prolonged war. She said the rapid destruction of Iranian military assets, including elements of the air force, naval units, ballistic missile systems, and drone manufacturing facilities, has drastically reduced Iran’s ability to respond.
Malliotakis said that after repeated strikes on key infrastructure, Iran’s operational capacity has been reduced to roughly ten percent of its previous level. She argued that the destruction of Iran’s military capabilities could lead to significant changes in the Middle East and improve security for the United States and its allies, including Israel.
The financial cost of the military operation is also drawing attention in Washington. Estimates discussed during the interview suggest the conflict is costing roughly one billion dollars per day. A large portion of these costs comes from the use of advanced weapons systems, including Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Approximately 400 Tomahawk missiles have already been launched during the operation, with each missile costing around 2.25 million dollars. This means the missile strikes alone represent nearly 900 million dollars in military expenditures. The conflict is unfolding at a time when the administration is also considering a massive defense budget proposal of 1.5 trillion dollars for 2027.
Malliotakis noted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the Pentagon may soon request a supplemental defense funding package from Congress to support the ongoing military campaign. However, she emphasized that the administration hopes the conflict will remain short term due to the rapid progress being made on the battlefield.
At the same time, political tensions in Washington are increasing over the war. Senate Democrats have threatened to force another vote on President Trump’s war authority if Republicans do not hold hearings on the conflict with Iran. Malliotakis criticized the push for hearings, arguing that Congress should instead focus on funding the Department of Homeland Security.
She said the department, which was created following the September 11 terrorist attacks, plays a crucial role in protecting the country from threats. According to Malliotakis, funding Homeland Security should be the top priority, particularly as the United States faces growing security risks both domestically and internationally.
The congresswoman criticized Democratic leaders in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, for not prioritizing funding for the department. She argued that the failure to pass funding legislation could weaken the nation’s ability to respond to terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and border security challenges.
Security concerns have increased as the conflict with Iran intensifies. U.S. officials fear Iran could attempt to activate sleeper cells or covert operatives inside the United States in response to the American military campaign. When asked whether Iran had activated sleeper cells in the U.S., Trump said authorities are closely monitoring potential threats.
The president said Iran has attempted to develop such networks for years but emphasized that U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies are actively tracking suspected operatives. However, Trump suggested that the ongoing government shutdown affecting parts of the Department of Homeland Security could limit the government’s ability to respond effectively.
Concerns about domestic terrorism have been heightened following a recent incident in New York City. Authorities arrested two individuals accused of attempting to detonate improvised explosive devices during an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion. According to the Department of Justice, the suspects were inspired by ISIS ideology.
One of the suspects reportedly told law enforcement officers that he wanted to carry out an attack larger than the Boston Marathon bombing. Malliotakis said the incident highlights the growing risks facing the United States, especially major cities such as New York that remain key targets for terrorism.
She also raised concerns about immigration and border security. According to Malliotakis, millions of migrants entered the United States during previous years when the southern border was less strictly controlled. Many of these individuals were classified as “gotaways,” meaning they avoided contact with border officials and were not processed by authorities.
The congresswoman said that during that period, U.S. authorities captured dozens of individuals with known terrorist connections attempting to cross the southern border. She warned that the presence of unidentified individuals inside the country increases potential security risks.
Malliotakis also criticized sanctuary city policies, arguing that they prevent local law enforcement from cooperating fully with federal immigration authorities. In New York City, the NYPD is restricted from working directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain individuals with immigration violations. She said such policies make it more difficult to remove potentially dangerous individuals from the country.
In a separate political development, the U.S. Supreme Court recently blocked a New York state court ruling that would have forced a redraw of congressional district boundaries. The decision restored the existing district lines connecting Staten Island with parts of Brooklyn, which benefits Malliotakis and other Republicans ahead of upcoming elections.
Democrats had attempted to redraw the district map in a way that could potentially shift the seat toward their party. Malliotakis described the lawsuit as a politically motivated attempt to gerrymander the district and eliminate her seat.
She said the district already has a double-digit Democratic voter registration advantage and noted that Democrats previously held the seat until she defeated the incumbent in 2020. According to Malliotakis, the Supreme Court was correct to intervene and prevent what she described as an unconstitutional redistricting effort.
The ruling means the congressional district map will remain unchanged for the upcoming election cycle, allowing voters rather than mapmakers to decide the outcome of the race.
Beyond national security issues, lawmakers are also preparing potential economic legislation. Malliotakis, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, said committee members are working on policy proposals that could eventually become part of a future reconciliation package.
These discussions include policies related to housing incentives, film production tax deductions designed to compete with other countries, and initiatives aimed at strengthening U.S. manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. However, she acknowledged that passing major legislation could be difficult because the Republican majority in the House remains extremely narrow.
As Operation Epic Fury continues, the Trump administration maintains that the military campaign is progressing rapidly and achieving its primary objectives. Officials believe the destruction of Iran’s military infrastructure could significantly reshape the security balance in the Middle East. At the same time, the conflict raises ongoing questions about defense spending, domestic security threats, and political divisions in Washington over the direction of U.S. foreign policy.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available statements, interviews, and news transcripts. The information reflects claims and perspectives shared by political leaders and officials at the time of reporting and should be viewed in the context of ongoing geopolitical developments.
