The United States carried out a coordinated attack with Israel against Iran in the early hours of Saturday (28).
Explosions were recorded in the capital Tehran and at least four other cities. In response, Iran fired missiles at Israel and attacked American bases in the Middle East.
Check out the main points of Donald Trump’s speech.
American objective
He confirmed the offensive to destroy the nuclear arsenal and called on the local population to take control of the government.
Trump announced the start of a broad military combat operation in Iran. The main objective of the offensive, according to the president, is to defend the American people from imminent threats and definitively prevent the Iranian regime from developing nuclear weapons.
According to the American leader, the military actions seek to neutralize a group that puts American troops, bases abroad and global allies at direct risk. The decision comes after successive failed attempts to reach an agreement on the Middle Eastern country’s atomic program.
History of tensions and terrorism
Trump justifies armed intervention by citing a history of almost half a century of hostilities. According to the president, the Iranian regime is sponsoring a campaign of bloodshed that includes everything from the taking of hostages at the US Embassy in Tehran to recent attacks.
In the head of state’s view, Iran acts as the main state sponsor of global terrorism. He assesses that the country arms, trains and finances militias in regions ranging from Lebanon to Yemen. The leader blames Iranian allies for the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of Americans.
The president also points out the Asian nation’s involvement in historic attacks, such as the attack on barracks in Beirut, in 1983, and the USS Cole, in 2000. American forces stationed in Iraq and vessels on international routes would have been continuous targets of these attacks.
Operation Midnight Hammer and military advance
As the president points out, the United States had already obliterated the Iranian nuclear program at the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan facilities last June, during the so-called Operation Midnight Hammer.
However, the president claims that Iran rejected opportunities to abandon its atomic ambitions and tried to rebuild its arsenal. The resumption of the development of long-range missiles generated warnings about possible attacks on Europe and American territory itself, motivating the new intervention.
For the commander in chief, the current operation aims to completely destroy the missile industry and annihilate the Iranian navy. The focus, according to him, is to ensure global stability and prevent the use of improvised explosives against allied forces.
Ultimatum to troops and appeal to the population
In an incisive tone, Trump addressed an ultimatum to members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s police forces. The American demanded that the fighters lay down their weapons in exchange for complete immunity, under the threat of facing certain death if they resist.
The speech also had a direct message for the civilian population. The president told Iranians to remain sheltered in their homes due to the extreme danger of the bombings, which he called an overwhelming show of force by the United States.
Finally, Trump urged citizens to take control of local government as soon as the military offensive is completed. He argues that this is a once-in-generational chance for the people to achieve freedom and a prosperous future, highlighting American military support for the population.
The leader concluded the statement by reinforcing the superiority of the United States Armed Forces. He acknowledged the risk of American soldier deaths, but defended war action as a noble and necessary mission to protect future generations against a nuclear threat.
