Major US-Israel Military Strikes Against Iran Begin
The United States and Israel have launched a major joint attack on Iran, with military operations underway early on February 28, 2026. The offensive — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — marks one of the most significant escalations in U.S.–Iran tensions in years and is being carried out through air and naval strikes against Iranian military and strategic targets.
Smoke was reported over several parts of Tehran as explosions shook the capital, indicating that the attacks reached deep into Iranian territory.
Trump’s Message: Defending the American People
In an official video statement posted on social media, Donald Trump affirmed that the military campaign’s goal is to “defend the American people” by neutralizing what he described as imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions, long-range missiles, and support for proxy groups across the Middle East.
Trump called Tehran the “world’s number one state sponsor of terror” and said that stopping it from developing nuclear weapons is central to U.S. national security strategy. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said in the address.
Details of the Combat Operations
According to U.S. statements, the strikes were designed to:
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Destroy Iranian missile capabilities that could threaten U.S. forces, allies, and potentially reach the homeland in the future.
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Raze Iran’s missile industry and annihilate its navy.
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Minimize risk to U.S. personnel while countering Tehran’s regional influence.
Trump acknowledged that the conflict could entail American casualties, saying U.S. forces take steps to protect personnel but that sacrifices can occur in war.
Trump’s Appeal to the Iranian People
In addition to justifying the strikes, Trump directly addressed the Iranian public, urging them to seize control of their government once operations conclude, framing the offensive as a chance for political change. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said, while warning civilians to take shelter due to the intensity of bombardment.
He also offered terms to Iranian security forces, telling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other armed personnel to lay down their weapons for “complete immunity” or face “certain death” if they resist.
Regional and Global Implications
The U.S.–Israel offensive represents a watershed moment that could reshape Middle East geopolitics:
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Escalation risk: Iran’s leadership has vowed a strong response, with officials condemning the strikes as aggression and pledging definitive countermeasures.
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International concern: World powers and diplomatic bodies have urged restraint even as military operations continue.
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Security calculations: The conflict’s outcome will influence global energy markets and alignments among regional actors.
As military strikes on Iran continue, President Trump’s declaration that the United States is acting to “defend the American people” lays bare the administration’s rationale for direct confrontation. While the joint U.S.–Israel offensive seeks to erode Tehran’s perceived threats, the broader consequences — geopolitical, humanitarian, and strategic — are unfolding rapidly on the world stage.
