President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday (February 28) that the United States military has begun "major combat operations in Iran," launching a joint offensive with Israel aimed at eliminating Iran's missile and nuclear programs and, ultimately, toppling the Iranian government.
According to The Washington Post, the Pentagon has named the operation "Operation Epic Fury." The strikes involve sea-launched Tomahawk missiles and air-launched missiles fired from U.S. Air Force and Navy jets, and are expected to run through at least the weekend. In a video posted to Truth Social, President Trump said the goal is to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." "We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," he said.
In a brief phone call with The Washington Post just after 4 a.m. Saturday, President Trump said his main concern is "freedom" for the Iranian people. "All I want is freedom for the people," he said. "I want a safe nation, and that's what we're going to have."
He also issued a direct call to the Iranian people to "take over your government," signaling that regime change is a stated U.S. goal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel's role in the assault, saying in a statement that "Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran." "Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he added. The operation, Netanyahu said, would continue "as long as needed."
According to NBC News, U.S. officials say the military action could last several days. So far, Israel has targeted Iranian leaders, while the U.S. has focused on Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. The operation is a multi-domain effort involving the Space Force, Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council vowed a "crushing response," saying in a statement that its armed forces had "begun a crushing response" and would "continuously keep the dear public informed." Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched a "broad wave of missile and drone attacks" toward Israel in retaliation.
Iran has also launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. military bases across the region, targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. According to the BBC, explosions and sirens have been heard across the Gulf region, including in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait City. So far, no American casualties have been reported, though U.S. officials say the situation remains fluid.
One civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi after missile debris fell on a residential area, according to the UAE's defense ministry. The ministry said its air defense systems "successfully intercepted" several Iranian missiles but that falling debris caused "some material damage." Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan also reported intercepting Iranian strikes.
The strikes hit Iran at around 9:40 a.m. local time, with explosions reported in Tehran, Qom, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Karaj, and Tabriz. Verified video footage shows large plumes of smoke rising above Tehran. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed Iran is experiencing a near-total internet blackout, with national connectivity at just 4% of ordinary levels.
Russia condemned the strikes as an "unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign state," saying the scale of preparations left "no doubt that this was pre-planned." Saudi Arabia condemned what it called "brutal Iranian aggression" following Tehran's retaliatory missile strikes on Gulf nations. The European Union called on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint."
The political response inside the United States has not divided neatly along party lines. Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky called the action "unauthorized by Congress." Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, however, said President Trump had been "willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region." Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the operation on X, writing, "God bless President Trump, our military and our allies in Israel."
This is the second U.S. military strike on Iran in under a year. Last June, the U.S. dropped "bunker buster" bombs on Iranian nuclear sites during what was called "Operation Midnight Hammer" — the first time the U.S. had ever launched airstrikes on Iranian soil. President Trump said at the time that Iran's nuclear sites were "completely and fully obliterated," though experts said the damage was largely aboveground.
Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran's last shah, called on Iranians to prepare to reclaim their country, writing on X that "the final victory will still be forged by our hands." He urged Iranians to "stay vigilant and ready" until he signals the time to "return to the streets for the final action."
A senior Middle East diplomat with direct knowledge of recent nuclear talks told NBC News that as negotiations appeared "close to success," Israel "intervened to preempt diplomacy." Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the strikes occurred "while Iran and the United States were in the midst of a diplomatic process," noting that the third round of indirect nuclear talks had taken place just two days earlier, on Wednesday (February 26), in Geneva.
Major airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, and Lufthansa, have suspended or cancelled flights to and from the region. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert directing all government employees and family members in Israel to shelter in place. Israel has closed its airspace to all civilian flights.
Both President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are expected to provide further updates on the operation later Saturday. U.S. officials say American and Israeli strikes will continue, and the U.S. expects Iran to keep retaliating.