Hundreds of US air assets strike Iranian targets in Operation Epic Fury - CENTCOM

The White House said on Tuesday President Donald Trump "does not rule options out” when asked about deploying American ground forces to Iran.

"As for boots on the ground, wisely the president does not rule options out as Commander in Chief," Karoline Leavitt said during a press conference at the White House.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that Iran’s ruling clerics are “on the run” with nowhere to hide, calling on the Iranian people to take control of their destiny as Israel continues targeted strikes against the regime.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to remove the Ayatollah regime and gain your freedom. Together with the United States, we are hitting the Tyrants of Teheran harder than ever," Israel Prime Minister office posted on X.

"Your dreams will become a reality. When the time is right, and that time is fast approaching, we will pass the torch to you. Be ready to seize the moment!" the message added.

Despite the pressure, at least seven players managed to escape and seek safety in Australia following a series of events involving planning, outside help and a moment of chaos during the AFC Asian Cup held in Gold Coast.

Their situation became dangerous after players refused to sing the Islamic Republic’s national anthem during a match against South Korea. Soon afterward, Iran's state TV labeled the young athletes “wartime traitors”—a charge that in Iran can carry the death penalty.

Raha Pourbakhsh, an Iran International sports reporter who covered the tournament from London, said the threats quickly escalated.

While the girls faced the threat of persecution back home, defection was not an easy option either.

Iranian athletes—especially members of national teams—are required to submit substantial financial guarantees to the Ministry of Sports before being allowed to travel abroad, a measure aimed at preventing defections.

These guarantees may take the form of large cash deposits or property deeds, which can be confiscated if the athlete fails to return to Iran.

“For this trip, they dramatically increased the bond to 10 billion Tomans (almost $67,000). I received info from inside the camp that their families were being directly threatened,” Pourbakhsh said.

“Some players felt like they were hostages. They were told their families' safety depended on them returning to Iran after the matches,” she said.

The players suspected they were being monitored and avoided direct communication, believing their phones were likely tapped.

According to Pourbakhsh, security officials were embedded with the team to ensure the players remained under control.

“It was a brave move; I know at least three security officers from the IRGC were embedded with the team to control them,” she said.

However, the surveillance could not stop members of the team from leaving.

Raising the alarm

Pourbakhsh said she began alerting international media outlets after Iranian state television figures publicly called for punishment against the players.

“Western media doesn't follow state TV, so I clipped that video, translated it, and sent it to reporters at CNN, Reuters, and Tracy Holmes," who is veteran broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The reporting quickly gained attention.

“Tracy Holmes interviewed the Australian Foreign Minister that same night about the threats occurring on Australian soil,” Pourbakhsh said.

As the situation escalated, Australian authorities became involved. According to Pourbakhsh, the Australian Federal Police were positioned in the team hotel lobby after concerns were raised.

Iran officials blocked from entering Australia

Iranian authorities also attempted to regain control of the situation by sending senior football officials to Australia.

According to Pourbakhsh, Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s Football Federation and vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, sought to travel to Australia as the crisis unfolded.

Australian authorities, however, denied him a visa due to his alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Instead, another federation representative was sent to Australia to ensure the players returned to Iran following the tournament.

Chaos and escape

The turning point came after the team’s third match.

Confusion erupted among Iranian security handlers as several players attempted to slip away.

Video shared by activists on social media showed one Iranian security official frantically searching through the hotel stairwell while activists followed him, shouting that he was linked to the IRGC.

“You’re in Australia—you better run,” one activist can be heard shouting in the footage. “Get the F out of the country, IRGC terrorists.”

Meanwhile, several players were attempting to escape through the hotel car park.

At one point, a fire door that should have remained open was locked, creating further confusion among the handlers.

Amid the chaos, the players managed to reach safety and make contact with authorities.

Desperate scenes

Witnesses described emotional scenes as the team prepared to leave Australia.

Fans gathered outside the hotel with signs reading “Save Our Girls,” fearing the players would face punishment if forced to return to Iran.

According to witnesses, one player was dragged by her collar and shirt in an attempt to force her onto a team bus.

Others flashed SOS signals as they boarded, indicating they did not want to leave.

Before the team’s plane departed for the long journey back toward Iran, several players were seen making distress gestures toward supporters and cameras.

Pourbakhsh said many players felt compelled to return despite the danger.

Their families remained in Iran.

A new life ahead

Seven players ultimately remained in Australia and sought protection.

Their story has drawn sympathy around the world.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help them rebuild their lives in Australia.

The Brisbane Roar Football Club also publicly offered support.

“Like many Australians, everyone at Brisbane Roar FC has been watching the story of the Iran women's national football team players now here in Queensland with immense admiration,” the club wrote on X.

“These are elite footballers — passionate, talented women who love the game just as deeply as we do.”

The club extended a direct invitation to the players.

“To Fatemeh, Zahra, Zahra, Atefeh, Mona, and any of your teammates building a new life here in Australia: Brisbane is home to one of the country’s most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart.

“We’d be honoured to open our doors and offer you a place to train, play, and belong.

“No politics. No conditions. Just football, community, and a warm welcome.

“Queensland is your home now.”

Trump issued the warning in a post on Truth Social, saying any attempt by Iran to mine the narrow maritime passage would trigger a severe response.

“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before,” he wrote.

“If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!”

He later said American forces have destroyed 10 inactive Iranian mine-laying boats and ships in recent hours, warning that additional strikes could follow.

CBS News earlier quoted US officials as saying that Iran may be preparing to deploy naval mines in the strategic waterway in an attempt to further disrupt shipping through the Persian Gulf. According to the officials, Tehran could use small boats capable of carrying two or three mines each to place them in the strait.

The warning comes as the United States continues to review options to protect maritime traffic in the region.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday the Pentagon is examining possible measures, including escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies pass.

“We are looking at a range of options to set the military conditions to be able to do that,” Gen. Dan Caine said during a briefing when asked about escorting ships.

He said officials are evaluating the risks and resources required for such an operation.

The White House also signaled that the administration is preparing additional steps to ensure the strait remains open.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration has already offered political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Persian Gulf and temporarily waived certain oil-related sanctions.

She added that Trump has also offered the US Navy to escort tankers if necessary, but confirmed that no ship has been escorted yet, days after the idea was first raised to reassure maritime trade companies.

“The President and his energy team are closely watching the markets, speaking with industry leaders, and the US military is drawing up additional options, following the President's directive to continue keeping the Strait of Hormuz open,” Leavitt said.

Iran's Guards threaten commercial ships

Iranian officials have meanwhile doubled down on their own warnings over access to the strait.

Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said ships linked to what he called “aggressors” would not be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“If you have doubts, come closer and test it,” Tangsiri wrote on X.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Guards said Arab or European countries that expel Israeli and US ambassadors from their territories would be granted full freedom of transit through the strait starting Tuesday.

US officials say the military campaign against Iran has already reduced Tehran’s ability to carry out attacks.

Gen. Caine said ballistic missile launches have dropped sharply since the start of Operation Epic Fury.

“Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downwards, 90% from where they started, and one-way attack drones have decreased 83% since the beginning of the operation,” he said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States and Israel were “winning decisively” in the conflict and vowed the campaign would continue until its objectives are achieved.

The goals of Operation Epic Fury, he said, remain destroying Iran’s missile stockpiles, launchers and defense industrial base, degrading its naval capabilities and ensuring Tehran cannot obtain nuclear weapons.

“Our will is endless, but ultimately the president gets to determine the end state of those objectives,” Hegseth said.

President Donald Trump warned Iran that it must immediately remove any mines that may have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening that failure to do so would trigger military consequences “at a level never seen before.”

"If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before," he said in a post on his Truth Social.

"If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!"

US officials earlier told CBS News that Iran could be preparing to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to further disrupt the vital shipping route.

According to the officials, Iran may use small boats capable of carrying two or three mines each to place them in the waterway.

While the exact size of Iran’s mine stockpile is unknown, past estimates have suggested it could hold between about 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines, many produced domestically or supplied by China or Russia.