In saying the U.S. military strike on Iran, President Donald Trump went considerably past his earlier justification of destroying the nation’s nuclear program.
He is now additionally calling for regime change — and inspiring the Iranian individuals to stand up and overthrow their authorities.
Three sources briefed on the assault advised ABC Information that Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have been each focused in the course of the strikes.
However whether or not American bombing may assist make regime change occur — with out additionally deploying U.S. forces on the bottom — was unclear, as was who may exchange Iran’s present leaders.
President Donald Trump and his group momintor U.S. strikes in Iran, on Feb. 28, 2026.
The White Home
“Our goal is to defend the American individuals by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very laborious, horrible individuals,” Trump introduced in a video posted to his social media account early Saturday morning.
Chatting with what he known as “the nice, proud individuals of Iran,” he added, “I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand.”
“After we are completed, take over your authorities. Will probably be yours to take. This shall be in all probability your solely probability for generations,” he mentioned.
“For a few years, you may have requested for America’s assist, however you by no means acquired it. No president was prepared to do what I’m prepared to do tonight. Now you may have a president who’s providing you with what you need, so let’s examine the way you reply.” he mentioned.
“America is backing you with overwhelming power and devastating drive. Now’s the time to grab management of your future and to unleash the affluent and superb future that’s shut inside your attain,” he mentioned.
Shortly after, in a quick cellphone name with a Washington Put up reporter, the president mentioned that each one he desires is “freedom for the individuals” of Iran.
In January, throughout widespread protests in Iran when hundreds of Iranians have been reported killed, Trump posted on social media, “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They may pay an enormous value.”
“HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” Trump added on the time, although he confronted criticism for taking no additional motion at that time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his personal video assertion Saturday echoed Trump’s name, saying the assault’s aim was “to take away the existential risk posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.”
Iran has claimed it isn’t pursuing a nuclear weapon and has the sovereign proper to pursue a peaceable nuclear program for civilian functions.
President Donald Trump speaks to announce that the U.S. had begun “main fight operations” in Iran, on the day Israel and the U.S. performed strikes on Iran, Feb. 28, 2026.
The White Home
Imminent risk?
To this point, Trump has mentioned he most popular a diplomatic answer and has not offered a transparent justification for why strikes are wanted now, since he has repeatedly insisted Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated” in U.S. strikes he ordered final June — a declare he repeated at final week’s State of the Union handle.
In making his new case for the strikes, the president is arguing assaults are warranted to “defend the American individuals by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” with out offering clear proof of that.
Trump additionally argued Iranian missiles may “quickly” attain the U.S — however the president has supplied no particulars.
Iran is “growing lengthy vary missiles that may now threaten our excellent pals and allies in Europe, our troops stationed abroad and will quickly attain the American homeland,” he mentioned.
But, based on a one-page doc launched by the Protection Intelligence Company earlier this 12 months, Iran is trying to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035.
Just some days in the past, after the president’s State of the Union handle, Secretary of State Marco Rubio advised reporters Iranian missiles may attain the US “sooner or later.”
“Clearly, they’re headed in a pathway to sooner or later having the ability to develop weapons that may attain the continental U.S. They already possess weapons that may attain a lot of Europe already now as we communicate, and the ranges proceed to develop each single 12 months exponentially,” Rubio mentioned.
Whether or not the Iranian missile risk was “imminent” — and whether or not Congress ought to vote on committing American troops to an intensive navy operation — geared toward pursuing such a broad aim of regime change in Iran — will seemingly dominate the talk when lawmakers return to Washington this week.
ABC Information’ Mary Bruce and John Parkinson contributed to this report
