President Donald Trump said the ultimate objective of the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran is to secure “freedom” for the Iranian people.
The president announced that “Operation Epic Fury” was underway in a video posted to Truth Social at approximately 2:30 a.m. ET.
Roughly 90 minutes later, President Trump briefly spoke by phone with a Washington Post reporter, offering additional remarks about the operation.
“All I want is freedom for the people,” President Trump said just after 4 a.m. ET, according to the report.
When asked about his legacy in launching what has been described as a regime-change effort, President Trump responded, “I want a safe nation, and that’s what we’re going to have.”
In his earlier video address, delivered from his Mar-a-Lago residence, President Trump acknowledged that U.S. troops could face casualties.
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” he said. “That often happens in war.”
He added, “We’re doing this, not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
The United States launched the operation in coordination with Israel, striking targets across multiple Iranian cities.
Reports indicate Tomahawk missiles were used alongside Air Force and Navy aircraft.
Iran responded with missile strikes targeting U.S. military installations across the Middle East, the Daily Mail reported.
Tehran claimed to have struck the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, as well as bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Other regional countries, including Iraq and Jordan, reported missile activity linked to Iran’s response.
Israeli media outlets have reported “growing indications” that Ali Khamenei may have been killed during the initial strikes. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said Khamenei remains alive.
In his address, President Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government,” stating that the current moment may represent a unique opportunity.
“This will be, probably, your only chance for generations,” he said.
President Trump also outlined grievances with Iran’s leadership, citing its nuclear ambitions and what he described as decades of hostility toward the United States.
“No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight,” he said during the address.
President Trump previously campaigned against prolonged regime-change wars in the Middle East.
During a 2024 speech in Saudi Arabia, he criticized “so-called nation builders” and interventionist policies.
Saturday’s operation marks the most expansive military action taken by President Trump against Iran during his second term.
