On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that American forces, in collaboration with Israel, have commenced significant combat operations in Iran. This move signals a substantial military escalation in the Middle East.
In a recent video shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the operation aims to "protect the American people by neutralizing imminent threats from the Iranian regime."
"The United States military has just embarked on substantial combat operations in Iran," Trump stated. "Our mission is to safeguard the American populace by dismantling impending threats from the Iranian regime."
Trump reiterated his administration's stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions. "I'll say it again: they will never possess a nuclear weapon," he declared firmly.
The president accused the Iranian regime of consistently rejecting opportunities to abandon its nuclear aspirations. He claimed that Iran recently attempted to revive its atomic program and develop long-range missiles, potentially jeopardizing the U.S., Europe, and regional allies.
"We are undertaking an extensive and ongoing operation to prevent this radical dictatorship from threatening the United States and our national security interests," he added.
Direct Warning to Iranian Regime
Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military, and law enforcement agencies.
"Lay down your arms, and you will receive full immunity. If not, you will face certain death," he warned.
Addressing the Iranian people, he assured them that "the time for your freedom is within reach," urging them to remain safe in their homes amid ongoing bombardments.
Joint Operation with Israel
The announcement officially confirms U.S. involvement in the attacks that began earlier, including explosions in Tehran and other strategic locations.
Israel has declared a national emergency and closed its airspace in anticipation of possible retaliations. Iranian authorities have also activated emergency measures.
As of now, no official casualty figures have been reported, and the military operation is still in progress.
Trump's Words on February 28 Regarding U.S. and Israel's Military Action Against Iran
Recently, the U.S. military commenced major combat operations in Iran. Our aim is to protect the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted "death to America" and waged a relentless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder against the U.S., targeting our troops and innocent people worldwide.
Early on, the regime backed the violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days.
In 1983, Iran's proxies executed the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, killing 241 American servicemen. In 2000, they were likely involved in the USS Cole attack. Hundreds of U.S. service members in Iraq were targeted, and in recent years, their proxies have launched countless attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East, as well as on naval and commercial vessels on international sea routes.
It has been massive terror, and we will no longer tolerate it.
From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and financed terrorist militias that have soaked the land in blood. It was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, massacring over 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, and taking 12 of our citizens hostage.
Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror. Recently, it killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the streets as they protested.
It has always been U.S. policy—especially under my administration—that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again: they will never have a nuclear weapon.
Therefore, during Operation Midnight Hammer this past June, we wiped out the regime's nuclear program in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, but Iran refused, as it has for decades.
Instead, they tried to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our allies in Europe, our deployed troops abroad, and soon could reach the U.S. mainland.
For these reasons, the U.S. military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this radical dictatorship from threatening the United States and our core national security interests.
We will destroy their missiles and reduce their missile industry to rubble. We will annihilate their navy. We will ensure that regional terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world, nor attack our forces.
And we will ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple message: they will never have a nuclear weapon.
To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the armed forces, and all police, I say tonight: lay down your arms, and you will receive full immunity; otherwise, you will face certain death.
Finally, to the great and proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the time for your freedom is at hand. Stay safe, do not leave your homes.
When we are finished, take control of your government: it will be yours. This may be your only chance for generations.
God bless the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. God bless the United States of America. Thank you.
Key Questions on U.S. and Israel's Actions Against Iran
What is the objective of the U.S. and Israel's military operation in Iran?
The primary goal is to protect the American people by dismantling imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
What has President Trump said about Iran's nuclear ambitions?
Trump has reiterated that his administration will not permit Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, emphasizing that they will never have a nuclear weapon.
How has the Iranian regime responded to past warnings regarding their nuclear program?
The Iranian regime has historically rejected opportunities to abandon their nuclear aspirations and recently attempted to rebuild their program.