Trump Delivers Direct Message To Iranians After ‘Major Combat Operation’ Targets Ayatollah

President Donald Trump urged “the great, proud people of Iran” to overthrow the Iranian regime after the United States and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran early Saturday morning.

In an eight-minute address to the nation, Trump announced the major military operation against Iran, named “Operation Epic Fury,” and suggested that it would clear the way for Iranians to finally strip power from their authoritarian government.

“To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump said. “Stay sheltered, don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside; bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Trump said his actions on Saturday show how the United States is committed to “backing” the Iranian people and their fight for freedom.

“For many years, you have asked for America’s help but never got it,” he said. “No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who has given you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

Trump offered members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, armed forces, and police “complete immunity” if they were to lay down their weapons.

“Or, in the alternative, face certain death,” he added.

Trump began his address by stating that the “major combat operation” is to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” The strikes came after a long U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The Trump administration sought to pressure Iranian leaders into agreeing to a deal to end their ambitions of obtaining a nuclear weapon.

????BREAKING: Trump announces that the U.S. is conducting strikes against Iran.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” pic.twitter.com/ycFiiZ05Eb

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) February 28, 2026

The joint U.S.-Israeli operation hit numerous targets throughout Iran, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran. A satellite image obtained by The New York Times following the strike shows the compound, which is Khamenei’s primary residence, completely leveled in the bombings. It’s unclear if Iran’s supreme leader was at his compound when the United States and Israel launched their attack.

We obtained the first known satellite image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran. There are several destroyed buildings. While the current whereabouts of Iran’s supreme leader are unknown, the compound is generally used as his official residence. ????️????: @Airbus pic.twitter.com/48krjclMBL

— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026

During his address, Trump warned that Iran would respond to the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes by targeting American troops in the region. The United States has multiple military bases in Arab countries surrounding Iran, and Trump has been building up a massive armada of U.S. ships and fighter jets around Iran in recent weeks.

“My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill,” Trump said. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war, but we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”

Iran already responded to the U.S. strikes by targeting a U.S. military base in Bahrain. A video obtained by Fox News shows a missile striking a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, obliterating an empty warehouse, according to a U.S. official. No Americans were wounded in the retaliatory attack, a U.S. official said.

NEW: Video shows the moment Iranian missiles struck a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain in retaliation for coordinated strikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel.

A U.S. official tells Fox News that no Americans were injured in the attack. The strike reportedly hit an empty warehouse. pic.twitter.com/LJMhcf3oB7

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2026

The Iranian regime has also fired missiles toward Israel. As of Saturday morning, there have been no reports of civilian casualties following Iran’s response.