Waltz: 'It Breaks My Heart That We Have Had to Deal With This Threat Across the Middle East for 47 Years'

UN Ambassador Mike Waltz joined Kristen Welker on NBC News' Meet the Press Sunday morning to discuss Operation Epic Fury. 

Waltz discussed not only the incredible successes of the operation in just its first week, but also the sad reality of the decades of strife caused by the Iranian regime that have led to this moment. 

"The military objectives and achievements, a week in, are truly extraordinary," says @USAmbUN on Operation Epic Fury.

"As a veteran, it breaks my heart in so many ways that we have had to deal with this threat across the Middle East for 47 years... thank God for @POTUS. He's… pic.twitter.com/9NP8TXkrLF

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 8, 2026

ALSO SEE: Watch: U.S. Ambassador Says Gulf Leaders United Against Iran

Why We Fight Iran

"Well, I’ll tell you — the military objectives and achievements a week in are truly extraordinary, as the president has effectively laid out: Iran's Air Force destroyed; Iran’s air defenses destroyed, and almost completely degraded; its navy sunk — over 40 ships sitting at the bottom of the ocean. And importantly, their ability to produce these ballistic missiles and these drones with which they’ve been terrorizing Israel, their neighbors in the Gulf, providing to Russia, and using against Ukraine, is also being severely degraded. 

"So, the military, our great Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Secretary Rubio, and others, are laying out the case in terms of how we are going to protect the American people and eliminate this threat once and for all.

"Kristen, I can tell you, as a veteran, I can’t — it breaks my heart in so many ways that we have had to deal with this threat across the Middle East for 47 years. And I want to be clear: The Iranian regime started this war in 1979 under Jimmy Carter, and thank God for President Trump. He’s taking the bold, decisive action that so many of his predecessors have failed to do to end it, and end this threat to the American people and our allies once and for all."

Waltz rightly notes the critical context of the conflict and the toll it's taken on Americans — and particularly American soldiers — for nearly half a century. 

Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.

Help us report the truth about the Trump administration’s decisive actions to keep Americans safe and bring peace to the world. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.