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Donald Trump on Saturday, February 28, announced that American and Israeli forces had launched what he described as a “massive and ongoing operation” against Iran, warning Iranian troops to surrender or face severe consequences.
In an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social, Trump said the joint military campaign was intended to stop Iran’s leadership from threatening the United States and its allies, including Israel.
“We are undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” he said.
The strikes followed weeks of escalating rhetoric from Washington, during which Trump repeatedly pressured Tehran to agree to a new nuclear deal. He also criticized the Iranian government over its crackdown on protesters earlier in the year.
Ahead of the operation, the US repositioned more than a dozen naval vessels and aircraft to the Middle East, signaling preparations for potential military action. The military buildup took place even as American officials engaged in indirect talks with Iranian representatives over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Trump said the campaign’s objectives were broad and uncompromising.
“We will destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry. We will annihilate their navy and ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region,” he declared.
The president maintained that Washington had repeatedly sought a diplomatic agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions but claimed Iranian leaders had rejected every opportunity.
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces,” he said.
Trump acknowledged the risks associated with the unfolding conflict, cautioning that American service members could be killed in the fighting.
“The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said, adding that the mission was necessary to ensure long-term security.
