LONDON and NEW YORK — President Donald Trump mentioned that the U.S. army has begun “main fight operations” in Iran and calling on the Iranian folks to stand up and seize the chance for regime change.
“Our goal is to defend the American folks by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very exhausting, horrible folks,” Trump mentioned in a video assertion on Reality Social early Saturday morning.
The “huge” operation comes because the U.S. has been attempting to barter with Iran over its nuclear and missile packages and hours after Trump mentioned he was “not proud of the negotiation.”
And it comes amid questions in regards to the potential justification for a U.S. strike on Iran since Trump has mentioned the Iranian nuclear weapons program was “obliterated” in a U.S. strike final yr.
“Its menacing actions immediately endanger america, our troops, our bases abroad and our allies all through the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted “demise to America” and waged an endless marketing campaign of bloodshed and mass homicide focusing on america, our troops and the harmless folks in lots of, many international locations,” Trump mentioned.
The army operation in opposition to Iran was a preemptive joint assault by america and Israel and will final a number of days, U.S. officers mentioned, with potential targets together with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps army websites, authorities buildings, Iranian intelligence belongings and protection installations.
“Iran is the world’s primary state sponsor of terror and only in the near past killed tens of 1000’s of its personal residents on the road as they protested,” Trump mentioned. “It has all the time been the coverage of america, particularly my administration, that this terrorist regime can by no means have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it once more. They will by no means have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump, who campaigned on a message of preserving the U.S. out of overseas entanglements, gravely instructed that “the lives of brave American heroes could also be misplaced, and we might have casualties.”
“That usually occurs in conflict. However we’re doing this not for now, we’re doing this for the long run and it’s a noble mission,” Trump continued.
President Donald Trump boards Air Power One at Corpus Christi Worldwide Airport, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Feb. 27, 2026, en path to Florida.
Matt Rourke/AP
On the finish of his message, Trump referred to as on the Iranian folks to grab this chance for regime change.
“Lastly, to the nice, proud folks of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump mentioned.
He added, “Once we are completed, take over your authorities. Will probably be yours to take. This can be in all probability your solely probability for generations.”
Showing to talk to the Iranian folks, Trump mentioned: “No president was prepared to do what I’m prepared to do tonight. Now you’ve a president who’s providing you with what you need, so let’s have a look at the way you reply. America is backing you with overwhelming energy and devastating pressure. Now’s the time to grab management of your future and to unleash the affluent and superb future that’s shut inside your attain.”
In the meantime, some Democratic members of Congress have begun demanding solutions.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D.-FL) mentioned on social media that he’s “formally requesting” that the State Division and Division of Struggle “totally temporary Congress on the quickly evolving scenario in Iran.”
Senator Ruben Gallego (D.-Ariz.), a Marine veteran, additionally posted on X, saying “I misplaced associates in Iraq to an unlawful conflict. Younger working-class youngsters shouldn’t pay the final word value for regime change and a conflict that hasn’t been defined or justified to the American folks.”
