U.S. And Israel Launch Strikes on Iran as Trump Vows to Eliminate Threats

Washington and Jerusalem initiated joint military operations against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The strikes come as former President Donald Trump asserts the action is necessary to defend the U.S. And potentially pave the way for regime change in Tehran.

Escalation of Conflict

The U.S. Military began “major combat operations in Iran” early Saturday, coinciding with a preemptive strike launched by Israel, according to a statement by President Trump. The stated objective is to eliminate what the U.S. Deems “imminent threats” emanating from the Iranian regime.

Trump’s Justification for Military Action

In a video statement released on his Truth Social network, Trump characterized the Iranian regime as a “vicious group of very hard, terrible people” whose activities directly endanger the United States, its troops, bases, and allies. He cited a history of hostile actions, including the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut and alleged involvement in attacks on the USS Cole in 2000, as well as ongoing support for groups like Hamas. Trump’s full statement details these grievances.

Iranian Response and Capabilities

Despite the U.S. Military buildup – involving over 150 aircraft and roughly a third of all active U.S. Ships – Iranian officials have maintained a slow pace of diplomatic engagement, a tactic that prompted Trump to question Iran’s “good faith” in negotiations. Iranian officials have asserted their military strength and vowed to retaliate against any attack, potentially targeting U.S. Assets in the region or mobilizing proxy groups in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. Reuters reports that Iran believes it can inflict pain on adversaries even without a full-scale defense.

U.S. Demands and Iranian Stance

The U.S. Is demanding that Iran cease all nuclear enrichment, relinquish existing stockpiles of enriched uranium, and curtail its ballistic missile program, as well as its support for regional proxy groups. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and insists that negotiations should be limited to the nuclear issue. While Oman’s Foreign Minister lauded “significant progress” in recent indirect negotiations, Trump expressed frustration with the pace and substance of the talks. The New York Times provides live updates on the situation.

Concerns of Wider Conflict

Analysts suggest that a U.S. Campaign against Iran could be limited in scope, potentially lasting only a few weeks or consisting of a high-intensity strike. However, there are concerns that the conflict could escalate, with potential for retaliation from Iran and possible intervention from other U.S. Rivals, such as Russia and China. The Guardian reports that Trump’s justification for the attack is fraught with contradictions.

Recent History of U.S.-Iran Conflict

The current escalation follows a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, which did not lead to renewed negotiations. This action, coupled with Trump’s withdrawal from the Obama-era nuclear deal, has fueled distrust between the two nations.