Trump strongly warns of possible American losses in the “large-scale operation” to stop the Iranian regime
LONDON AND NEW YORK – President Donald Trump said the US military has begun “major combat operations” in Iran and called on the Iranian people to rise up and seize the opportunity to change the regime.
“Our goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, an evil group of extremely cruel and terrible people,” Trump said in a video statement on Truth Social early Saturday morning.
The “massive” operation comes at a time when the United States is trying to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear and missile programs, and hours after Trump said he was “not happy with the negotiations.”
This comes amid questions about the possible justification for a US strike on Iran since Trump said that Iran’s nuclear weapons program was “wiped out” in a US strike last year.
“Its threatening activities directly endanger the United States, our forces, our bases abroad, and our allies around the world,” Trump said. “For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an endless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder that has targeted the United States, our forces, and innocent people in many, many countries.”
US officials said the military operation against Iran was a joint pre-emptive attack by the US and Israel and could last several days, with potential targets including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military sites, government buildings, Iranian intelligence assets and defense installations.
Trump said: “Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world, and it recently killed tens of thousands of its citizens in the streets while protesting.” “It has always been the policy of the United States, especially my administration, that this terrorist regime could never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again. They could never have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump, who campaigned on the message of keeping the United States out of foreign entanglements, noted that “the lives of brave American heroes may be lost, and we may suffer losses.”
Trump continued: “This often happens in war. But we do this not for now, but for the future and it is a noble mission.”
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Corpus Christi International Airport, in Corpus Christi, Texas, February 27, 2026, on his way to Florida.
Matt Rourke/AP
At the end of his message, Trump called on the Iranian people to seize this opportunity to change the regime.
“Finally, to the great and proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump said.
He added: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours. This may be your only chance for many generations.”
While speaking to the Iranian people, Trump said, “No president has been willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who gives you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America supports you with overwhelming power and devastating power. Now is the time to take control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is within your reach.”
Meanwhile, some Democrats in Congress began demanding answers.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said on social media that he “formally requests” that the State Department and the War Department “fully brief Congress on the rapidly developing situation in Iran.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine Corps veteran, also posted on
