Update: Reports have emerged of a missile attack targeting a U.S. Navy facility in Bahrain. Read more here.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran early Saturday, according to NBC News, with explosions reported across Tehran and Iran closing its airspace.
In an eight-minute video message shared on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces have begun “major combat operations in Iran.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said.
“It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon.”
An Israeli defense official said Israel had “launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats against the State of Israel.”
“As a result, a missile and UAV attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” the Israeli spokesperson said.
Two U.S. officials told NBC News the strikes are significant and not limited in scope.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the country’s airspace was closed early Saturday as smoke rose above buildings in Tehran.
The military action follows weeks of rising tension and a significant U.S. force buildup in the Middle East.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged embassy staff in Israel to leave “TODAY” one day before the announcement of military operations.
The strikes follow negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials over Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump previously warned that if diplomacy failed, he would use military force.
This is a developing story.
For more in-depth prior coverage on Operation Epic Fury and related developments, check out these key reports from The Dallas Express:
- Trump Says Khamenei Is Dead, Iranian Forces Seeking Immunity, Urges Iranians To “Take Back” Country
- “Operation Epic Fury Unleashed: The World Is Watching”
- “First Combat Use: How CENTCOM’s Budget One-Way Attack Drones Changed The Game In Operation Epic Fury”
- “President Trump Announces ‘Major Combat Operations’ As U.S., Israel Strike Iran”
- “Missile Attack Reported At U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Service Center In Bahrain”
