The U.S. and Israel on Saturday began what President Donald Trump described as "major combat operations" in Iran, striking military and nuclear targets.
Trump said his objective for the attack "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in an eight-minute clip posted to his Truth Social account on Saturday. He dubbed the attack "Operation Epic Fury." The move could cause a broader conflict in the region, as Iran has vowed a "crushing" response, Reuters reported.
The U.S. had assembled a massive fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region ahead of the attack in an effort to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.
Trump vowed to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground." He also said U.S. forces would "annihilate their navy … and ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon." He called on Iranians to "take over" their government.
Iran reportedly responded with missile attacks on U.S. military installations across the Middle East. Iran state media said: "The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain have been targeted by Iranian missile strikes."
Explosions were also heard in key cities around the Middle East, including Jerusalem as Iran launched counterattacks.
Trump took the action without seeking congressional approval to declare war.
Former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts Iran attack
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks, at a campaign event for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Johnny Mercer Theatre Civic Center in Savannah, Georgia, U.S. September 24, 2024.
Former Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had a public falling-out with Trump before leaving office midway through her term, in a post to X on Saturday questioned the president's commitment to the "America first" messaging that was central to his reelection campaign.
"We said 'No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change!' We said it on rally stage after rally stage, speech after speech. Trump, [Vice President JD] Vance, basically the entire admin campaigned on it and promised to put America FIRST and Make America Great Again," Greene wrote.
Greene was a staunch ally of Trump for most of her political career. But the pair clashed over the Trump administration's handling of files related to the disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and foreign policy.
Greene announced she would resign in November and left office in early January.
"Now, America is going to be force fed and gas lighted all the 'noble' reasons the American 'Peace' President and Pro-Peace administration had to go to war once again this year, after being in power for only a year. Head-spinning, but maga," Greene wrote.
House Speaker Johnson: 'Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions'
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 3, 2026.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Saturday said "Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions."
"President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime's sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans — and even their own people," Johnson posted to X.
Johnson noted in his post that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was on the Hill this week to brief House and Senate leaders on the evolving situation in Iran.
In a statement on Saturday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Iran a "bad actor" that "must be aggressively confronted for its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, support of terrorism and the threat it poses to our allies like Israel and Jordan in the region." But, like other Democrats, he questioned the constitutionality of launching such an attack without Congress' blessing.
"The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people," Jeffries said.
"Donald Trump failed to seek Congressional authorization prior to striking Iran. Instead, the President's decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a massive military attack has left American troops vulnerable to Iran's retaliatory actions," Jeffries continued.
GOP, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman cheer Trump’s Iran attack
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks with reporters in the halls of the US Capitol on February 10, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images News | Getty Images
While most Democrats who have weighed in are questioning the constitutionality of Trump's attack on Iran, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined Republicans in cheering it.
"Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel," Fetterman, often a dissenting voice within the Democratic caucus, posted to X.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, posted on X that "the butcher's bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs," referring to the Supreme Leader of Iran.
"A nuclear-weapons program. Thousands of missiles. State sponsorship of terror. Iran has waged war against the U.S. for 47 years: the hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine barracks, Khobar Towers, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or maimed thousands of American soldiers, the attempted assassination of President Trump," Cotton wrote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., in a statement on Saturday thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio "for providing updates on these issues throughout the week" and said he looked forward to the administration briefing all senators on the attack.
"Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats," Thune said.
Trump urges Iranians to 'take over your government' in early morning address
A screen grab from a video released on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows Donald Trump making statements regarding combat operations on Iran on February 28, 2026 in Pal Beach, Florida, United States.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
President Trump urged Iranians to "take over your government" in an eight-minute address following U.S. and Israeli combat operations in the region.
"To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand," he said, in a video posted to the White House's social media early Saturday morning.
"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 probably be your only chance for generations."
Airlines divert flights from Middle East after military strikes
FlightRadar24 Air traffic across the middle East on Feb. 28th, 2026.
Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, United Airlines and others suspended flights to Middle East destinations due to airspace closures and the attacks on Iran.
