The United States has officially announced the start of a military operation against Iran. US President Donald Trump made the statement.

He said that US armed forces had begun large-scale combat operations in Iran. Trump stated that the decision was taken to protect the American people from what he described as threats posed by the Iranian regime.

According to him, the objective of the operation is to eliminate immediate threats to US security. He stressed that Washington views Iran’s actions in the Middle East as a direct threat to American military bases in the region and to US allies worldwide.

Trump also said that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has been and remains a priority of his foreign policy. He noted that after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025, Washington warned Tehran that resuming its nuclear program would be unacceptable.

However, Trump stated that Iran ignored the warning and continued uranium enrichment.

Announcing the new military operation, Trump called on Iranian forces to lay down their arms or face death.

Earlier on February 28, Israel, a US ally in the Middle East, launched its own military operation against Iran. As part of Operation «Roar of the Lion,» the Israel Defense Forces carried out a preemptive missile strike, which was officially confirmed by Israel’s Ministry of Defense.

Media outlets reported at least five explosions in Tehran. According to the Fars news agency, Israeli missiles struck the Daneshgah Boulevard area and near Jomhuri. ISNA reported smoke rising from the Pastour district.