Trump says U.S. has begun 'major combat operations in Iran'

Trump announces U.S. major combat operations in Iran, urging Iranian citizens to take control of their government amid escalating tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (February 28, 2026) said the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran” after Israel launched strikes.

“Our objective ​is ‌to defend the American ‌people by eliminating ​imminent threats from ⁠the Iranian ‌regime,” Mr. Trump said in a video ‌shared on ​social media. Mr. Trump claimed that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S.

Also read: Israel-Iran conflict LIVE updates

He further went on to appeal to the Iranian people to ‘take over your government — it will be yours to take’

It also wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his offices at the time. He hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Israel launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.