Trump stated that the objective of the operation is to defend the American people by eliminating what he called imminent threats from the Iranian regime. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime — a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” he said, adding that its activities “directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.”
The president cited decades of hostility, saying, “For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries.” He referred to the 1979 hostage crisis, the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, the attack on the USS Cole, and attacks on U.S. service members in Iraq, stating that “It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer.”
President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026
Trump also linked Iran to regional militant groups and recent violence. “And it was Iran’s proxy Hamas that launched the monstrous October 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage,” he said.
Reaffirming U.S. policy on Iran’s nuclear program, Trump said, “It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular, my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon.” He added, “I’ll say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon.”
He referenced a prior operation, stating, “That is why, in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.” Trump said the United States had sought a diplomatic agreement afterward but that “Iran refused (to make a deal), just as it has for decades and decades.”
Describing the current campaign, he said, “For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.” He added, “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated.”
Trump stated that U.S. forces would target Iran’s naval capabilities and regional proxies, saying, “We are going to annihilate their navy.” He also said, “And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Addressing potential risks, Trump acknowledged that casualties could occur. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said, adding, “But we’re doing this — not for now — we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
He warned members of Iran’s security forces, stating, “To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity — or in the alternative, face certain death.” He repeated, “So lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.”
In closing, Trump addressed the Iranian public directly. “Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said, urging them to remain indoors because “Bombs will be dropping everywhere.”
He concluded the address with a call to action and a prayer for U.S. forces. “May God bless the brave men and women of America’s armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you.”
