President Trump announces attack on Iran [AFP Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 1st (local time) regarding the "Epic Fury" operation, a surprise military attack on Iran, "Everything is ahead of schedule."

Trump made these remarks in a phone interview with a CNBC reporter, stating that "the operation is going very well," CNBC reported.

These comments are interpreted to mean that the results of the operation, which began on the 28th of last month with concentrated airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, are emerging earlier than expected, including the elimination of key Iranian leadership figures such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei (86).

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

He also stated that potential exit ramps from the operation depend on various variables, CNBC reported.

President Trump revealed that the operation is proceeding in "a very positive direction."

In an interview with Fox News, President Trump said, "Things are moving quickly. Nobody will believe the success we are having. 48 (Iranian) leaders have disappeared in one strike."

In addition, MSNow reported that in a phone call with President Trump the previous night, Trump mentioned "talking to many people there (in Iran)" after the elimination of Khamenei, but did not specify who he was talking to.

The U.S. news magazine The Atlantic also reported that President Trump indicated in a phone interview on the morning of the same day that "they want dialogue, and I agreed to dialogue. So I will talk to them," suggesting that he would engage in dialogue with the new leadership in Iran.

In an interview with NBC, President Trump addressed the deaths of three U.S. soldiers during the operation, stating, "We expect casualties in operations like this. The casualties were expected," and added, "Ultimately, this (attack on Iran) will be a very good outcome for the world."

Regarding the expected results of the operation, President Trump said, "There are many good results. The first is eliminating them, getting rid of an entire group of murderers and thugs," suggesting that the ousting of the Iranian leadership was one of the main objectives.

He added, "We can do a short version or a long version," indicating an open stance on both short-term and long-term scenarios for the military operation.

When asked about halting the attacks and continuing negotiations for a diplomatic solution, President Trump responded, "I don't know," and said that the attacks could be stopped if Iran met the U.S. demands, but "so far, they have not."

Since the start of the attack on Iran up to the present day, President Trump has been staying at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, receiving reports on various aspects of the Iran attack operation.

The White House announced that President Trump spoke with the leaders of Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on this day. He also received a report on the situation regarding the shooting incident in Austin, Texas, which resulted in two deaths.

President Trump is scheduled to return to the White House in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of this day. The fact that he did not schedule any golf, unlike his usual weekend routine, appears to be in consideration of the ongoing military operation. U.S. government officials, who are typically active in Sunday morning interviews, also refrained from interviews on this day.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had been tracking the movements of high-ranking Iranian leaders, including Khamenei, for several months prior to the military operation against Iran, AP reported, citing sources.

This intelligence was shared with Israeli officials, and the timing of the weekend airstrikes was partially adjusted based on that information, the official said.