Trump Issues Ultimatum to Iranian Forces as US and Israel Launch Major Military Campaign
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday, February 28, that American and Israeli forces had initiated what he described as a "massive and ongoing operation" against Iran. Trump delivered a stern warning to Iranian military personnel through an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social platform, urging them to surrender immediately or face catastrophic consequences.
Direct Confrontation Following Failed Diplomatic Efforts
The military action comes after weeks of intensifying rhetoric from Washington, during which Trump repeatedly pressured Tehran to agree to a new nuclear agreement. The former president had also condemned the Iranian government for its harsh crackdown on protesters earlier in the year. Despite indirect negotiations between American and Iranian representatives regarding Tehran's nuclear program, diplomatic efforts ultimately collapsed.
"We are undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests," Trump declared in his video address to the world.
Military Buildup and Strategic Objectives
In preparation for the operation, the United States had repositioned more than a dozen naval vessels and aircraft to the Middle East, signaling clear preparations for potential military action. Trump outlined sweeping objectives for the campaign, stating:
- "We will destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry."
- "We will annihilate their Navy and ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region."
The former president insisted that Washington had made repeated attempts to secure a diplomatic agreement to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions but claimed Iranian leaders had refused every opportunity for peaceful resolution.
Acknowledgment of Risks and Regional Implications
Trump acknowledged the significant risks involved in the unfolding conflict, cautioning that American service members could be killed in the fighting. "The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war," he stated, while emphasizing that the mission was necessary for long-term security.
This escalation marks one of the most significant direct confrontations between the United States, Israel, and Iran in recent years, raising serious concerns about the potential for a broader regional war that could involve multiple Middle Eastern nations.
Failed Negotiations and Diplomatic Breakdown
Negotiators from both sides had engaged in indirect talks in Oman in early February, followed by two additional rounds of negotiations in Switzerland later in the month. Iranian officials had described these discussions in generally positive terms, and Trump himself had previously indicated that Iran wanted a deal.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who helped mediate the talks, told CBS News after the third round of negotiations that an agreement was "within our reach" and they just needed "a little bit more time." However, these diplomatic efforts ultimately proved insufficient to prevent military action.
"This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces," Trump declared, emphasizing his administration's uncompromising stance toward what he characterized as a radical dictatorship threatening American interests and allies.
