Oklahoma Senator Shares Updates on Operation Epic Fury

Lankford discusses concerns over conflict escalation and impact on Americans overseas

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Oklahoma Senator James Lankford joined a local news program to provide updates on the ongoing Operation Epic Fury military strikes against Iran. Lankford addressed concerns about the conflict escalating into a wider regional war, the loss of American lives, and the impact on the over 750,000 Americans living in the region. He also discussed the history of Iran's aggression and the challenges of diplomacy with the Iranian regime.

Why it matters

The military operation against Iran represents a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, with concerns that Iran may retaliate and draw other countries into the conflict. The safety of American citizens in the region is also a major concern, as Lankford highlighted the large number of Americans living in countries that have already been targeted by Iranian attacks.

The details

Lankford stated that Iran has carried out over 180 attacks on American forces or Americans in the last two years, through Iran's proxies and allies like the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. He said the current conflict is not a recent development, but rather the continuation of decades of Iranian aggression dating back to the 1979 hostage crisis and other attacks. Lankford also discussed the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, noting that the Iranian regime has consistently stalled and refused to disengage from its nuclear program.

  • The military operation, known as Operation Epic Fury, began in recent weeks.
  • Lankford spoke about the situation in an interview on March 2, 2026.

The players

James Lankford

A Republican senator from Oklahoma who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Iran

The country that is the target of the U.S. military strikes as part of Operation Epic Fury.

Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas

Iranian proxy groups and allies that have carried out attacks on American forces and citizens in the region.

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What they’re saying

“We've had 180 attacks on American forces or on Americans just in the last two years from Iran, from their proxies, from the Houthis, from Hezbollah, from Hamas. All through that region, they continue to be able to live in fear of Iran.”

— James Lankford, U.S. Senator (KFOR)

“This is the moment that we've got to be able to end the ongoing conflict that's happened for years and years. We go all the way back to 1979 and the hostages, and the Beirut bombing, and the USS Cole, and on and on and on through the Iraq War, what Iran was doing to be able to attack us over and over again.”

— James Lankford, U.S. Senator (KFOR)

What’s next

Lankford stated that he and other members of Congress will be meeting with the President and his team this week to discuss the legal authority for the military operation and the plan for addressing the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The takeaway

The escalating conflict with Iran represents a long-standing challenge that has drawn in multiple countries and resulted in the loss of American lives. Resolving this conflict will require a careful balancing of military action, diplomacy, and protecting the safety of American citizens in the region.