[U.S.-Iran War] Trump: "Everything Is Ahead of Schedule"...Hints at Talks With Iran's New Leadership

by Hwang Yoonju

Published 02 Mar.2026 05:56(KST)

Updated 03 Mar.2026 13:58(KST)

Phone Interviews with CNBC, The Atlantic, and NBC

Yonhap News Agency

U.S. President Donald Trump gave multiple interviews to the press regarding the Iran airstrike operation, dubbed 'Epic Fury,' stating that "everything is ahead of schedule."

According to CNBC on March 1 (local time), President Trump said in a phone interview with a CNBC reporter, "The operation is going very well," and made the aforementioned remark. This is interpreted as an indication that the outcomes of the operation, which began on February 28 and targeted the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and other key members of the Iranian leadership through U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, are materializing earlier than anticipated.

President Trump described Iran as "a very violent regime, one of the most violent in history," and stated, "We are carrying out our mission not only for ourselves but for the world."

He told CNBC that the progress of the operation is "moving in a very positive direction," while also noting that the potential off-ramps for ending the operation depend on several variables.

In an interview with Fox News, President Trump said, "The situation is developing rapidly," and added, "No one would believe the level of success we are achieving. In a single strike, 48 Iranian leaders have disappeared."

The American current affairs weekly The Atlantic also reported that President Trump hinted at the possibility of engaging in dialogue with Iran's new leadership. In a phone interview with The Atlantic, President Trump said, "They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk," and added, "I will talk to them."

In an interview with NBC, President Trump addressed the deaths of three U.S. soldiers during the operation, stating, "In this kind of operation, casualties are to be expected. The casualties were anticipated," and emphasized, "Ultimately, this operation will bring a very positive outcome for the world."

President Trump also spoke about the expected results of the operation, stating, "The first goal is to eliminate them, to wipe out the entire group made up of killers and thugs," indicating that ousting the Iranian leadership is one of the main objectives.

He further remarked, "We could pursue a short-term version or a long-term version," suggesting that both short-term and long-term military scenarios remain on the table.

When asked whether he would halt the attacks and continue negotiations as a diplomatic solution, President Trump responded, "I don't know," saying that he could stop if Iran meets U.S. demands, but "so far, they have not."

Meanwhile, the White House announced that President Trump had phone conversations with the leaders of Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on this day. President Trump is scheduled to return to the White House in Washington, D.C. later this afternoon.