President Donald Trump announced Saturday that U.S. forces have launched what he described as “major combat operations” inside Iran.
In a video posted to Truth Social, Trump said the military action had already begun and framed it as a defensive move. “A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” he said, adding that the goal is to neutralize what he called imminent threats from Iran’s leadership.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard terrible people.”
Trump accused Iran’s government of decades of hostility toward the United States and its allies.
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,” he said, claiming those actions have endangered U.S. troops, overseas bases, and allied nations.
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He described the operation as large-scale and still underway, saying it is meant to stop what he called a “very wicked, radical dictatorship” from advancing weapons capabilities. “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said.
At the same time, he acknowledged the cost could be significant.
“American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties,” he said, characterizing the mission as necessary for long-term national security.
Trump also spoke directly to the Iranian population, urging them to rise up after military objectives are achieved. “It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said. “No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”
He continued: “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny… This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026
The announcement followed reports of explosions across Iran late Friday night, including in the capital, Tehran. Emerging accounts suggested joint coordination between U.S. forces and Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces soon issued emergency alerts, warning residents to remain near protected spaces due to possible missile retaliation.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” the military said, noting that interception systems were activated.
A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
Trump has repeatedly warned Iran in the past. In a January interview with NewsNation, he said he would wipe the country “off the face of this Earth” if threats against him were carried out.
I’ve left notification, anything ever happens… the whole country’s going to get blown up.
If anything happens, wipe ’em OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH
Donald Trump on threats from Iran pic.twitter.com/c79r8wqK7w
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) January 21, 2026
Featured image via X screengrab
