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Read Trump's full statement on U.S. "major combat operations" in Iran
| USA | general | ✓ Verified - cbsnews.com

Read Trump's full statement on U.S. "major combat operations" in Iran

#Trump Iran operations #Major combat operations #U.S. Iran conflict #Nuclear threat #Islamic Revolutionary Guard #Operation Midnight Hammer #Middle East tensions #American military intervention

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Trump announced major U.S. combat operations in Iran on February 28, 2026
  • The operation aims to eliminate Iranian threats and prevent nuclear weapons development
  • Trump referenced decades of Iranian aggression against American interests
  • The president offered immunity to Iranian forces if they surrender
  • Trump called on Iranian citizens to seize control of their government after operations

📖 Full Retelling

President Trump announced on Saturday, February 28, 2026, that the United States military had begun 'major combat operations in Iran' via his Truth Social network, as Israel simultaneously launched a preemptive attack on the country, with the stated objective of defending the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. In a lengthy video statement, Trump detailed what he described as decades of Iranian aggression against American interests, including the 1979 hostage crisis, the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, attacks on the USS Cole, and alleged support for proxy forces that killed American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The president specifically referenced Iran's alleged role in supporting Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel, which he described as 'monstrous' and claimed resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people including 46 Americans. Trump emphasized that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained a cornerstone of his administration's policy, referencing 'Operation Midnight Hammer' in June 2025 in which he claimed the U.S. had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

🏷️ Themes

Military Conflict, National Security, Regime Change, Nuclear Proliferation

📚 Related People & Topics

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Military organization in Iran

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khomeini as a military branch in May 1979 in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Whereas the Ira...

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United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

2025 American military action

On June 22, 2025, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of the Iran–Israel war, under the code name Operation Midnight Hammer. The Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center were targeted wi...

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Nuclear warfare

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Military conflict that deploys nuclear weaponry

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps:

🌐 Iran 3 shared
👤 Donald Trump 2 shared
🌐 Foreign policy of the United States 1 shared
🌐 Middle East 1 shared
🌐 Immunity 1 shared
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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

President Trump's announcement of 'major combat operations' in Iran represents a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. This action carries substantial geopolitical risk and could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international relations. The statement details the justification for the operation, citing Iran's nuclear program, support for terrorist groups, and past attacks against U.S. interests.

Context & Background

  • U.S.-Iran relations have been strained for decades, marked by political and economic disagreements.
  • The Biden administration has sought a renewed nuclear deal with Iran, but negotiations have stalled.
  • Israel and the U.S. have differing views on how to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

What Happens Next

The immediate future will likely involve military actions by the U.S. against Iranian targets, as well as potential retaliatory measures from Iran or its proxies. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation may also occur, though their success is uncertain. International reactions and the impact on global oil markets are also key developments to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'major combat operations' entail?

The term generally refers to large-scale military actions involving offensive operations, potentially including airstrikes, naval engagements, and ground operations.

What is the U.S.'s stated goal in these operations?

According to President Trump, the goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and dismantle its missile capabilities.

What are the potential risks of these operations?

The risks include escalation of the conflict, potential casualties on both sides, destabilization of the Middle East, and negative impacts on global energy markets.

Original Source
World Read Trump's full statement on U.S. "major combat operations" in Iran By Haley Ott Haley Ott Reporter Haley Ott is the CBS News Digital international reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau. Read Full Bio Haley Ott February 28, 2026 / 3:26 AM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google President Trump announced on Saturday that the U.S. was undertaking " major combat operations in Iran ," as Israel said it was launching a preemptive attack on the country. Read a transcript of Mr. Trump's full statement, which he shared in a video on his Truth Social network, below. "A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops our basis overseas and our allies throughout the world. 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 innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran's proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. It's been mass terror, and we're not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen, and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth...
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Source

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