President Donald Trump, in a video posted by the White House on social media, announces the US attack on Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. (White House video screenshot)
WASHINGTON – U.S. forces have launched “major combat operations” against targets in Iran, President Donald Trump announced in a video posted to social media at 2:30 a.m. Eastern Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were carried out in cooperation with Israel.
Trump said “Our goal is to defend the American people by eliminating the immediate threats posed by the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very tough, terrible people. Its dangerous actions directly threaten the United States, our troops, our bases abroad and our allies around the world.”
He said the United States’ goal is to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. “This regime will soon learn that no one should question the strength and might of the United States armed forces,” Trump said.
He admitted that “we may suffer losses. This often happens in war. But we are not doing it for now, we are doing it for the future.”
He encouraged the Iranian people to rise up against their government. “Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is near. Stay safe. Stay home. It is very dangerous outside. Bombs will be falling everywhere. When we are done, take over your government. It will be yours to take over,” Trump said. “This will probably be your only chance for generations.”
Trump apparently spoke from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he arrived on Friday evening appearance in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Netanyahu in a statement he thanked Trump on social media and repeated the American president’s comments on nuclear weapons.
“This murderous terrorist regime cannot be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity,” Netanyahu said. “Our joint operation will create conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran said on social media that the attack occurred while the United States and Iran were in diplomatic talks and pledged a response.
“Now the Iranian people are proud that they did everything necessary to prevent war,” the statement said. “Now it is time to defend the homeland and face the enemy’s military aggression. Just as we were ready to negotiate, we are better prepared than ever to defend ourselves. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to the aggressors with full force.”
Associated Press he said the first attacks appeared to target the headquarters of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. The Reuters news service reported that the sky over Tehran was filled with smoke.
The strikes were not expressly authorized by Congress and it was not immediately clear whether lawmakers were notified before the attack began. Earlier this year, Trump also ordered airstrikes in Venezuela and the capture of the country’s president.
Some members of Congress expressed skepticism about the operation, arguing that it should have been referred to the legislature, which is supposed to have the power to wage war under the Constitution.
The United States and its allies have long debated their approach to Iran’s nuclear program. The country’s regime is strongly anti-American, and the United States has imposed economic sanctions for nearly half a century since the revolution installed a theocratic supreme leader.
Congress responds
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the move on social media early Saturday morning. “I echo President Trump’s call for the Iranian military, IRGC and security forces to lay down their weapons. I echo his call for the Iranian people to take back their government,” Graham said.
“President Trump was right when he said he was the first president in 47 years to stand with the Iranian people and give them the support they need.”
Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey called for an immediate vote on Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine’s war powers resolution.
“The Americans do not want to go to war with Iran,” Kim said on social media.
“By launching the attacks, President Trump made the same dangerous and stupid decision that President Bush made a generation ago. He put Americans in danger without clearly demonstrating that there was an immediate threat to our national security. He put the nation of Iran in danger by calling on them to rise up without a broad coalition of partners to help protect them. And Trump has once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and threatens to spiral out of control. This is unacceptable.”
Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts said diplomatic talks should continue. “Trump’s military attack on Iran is illegal and unconstitutional. It was not authorized by Congress and poses a threat to all Americans. Trump’s illegal actions increase the risk of escalation into a broader regional war, posing serious risks to U.S. troops and civilians in the region,” Markey said in a statement.
This is a developing story.
