Washington, Feb 28 (NationPress) President Donald Trump has announced that the United States has commenced “major combat operations in Iran”, marking a significant escalation in conflicts that has seen war return to Iran for the second time in eight months. This development raises alarms about a potential broader regional conflict in a strategically and economically significant area.

The United States, alongside Israel, executed coordinated strikes against Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions across the Middle East. This situation has sparked worries about an expanding confrontation with geopolitical and economic repercussions.

In an eight-minute video shared on his Truth Social account, Trump clarified the goals of the military actions.

“Our aim is to safeguard the American populace by eliminating immediate threats posed by the Iranian regime, a cruel and ruthless group,” he stated.

The President accused Tehran of decades of animosity against Washington.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has proclaimed 'Death to America' and has launched an ongoing campaign of violence and murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and innocent civilians across numerous countries,” Trump said.

He began his address by detailing what he called the Islamic Republic’s harmful actions over nearly five decades. “Its aggressive activities pose direct threats to the United States, our military personnel, our overseas bases, and our allies globally,” Trump added.

While acknowledging US military actions, Trump did not explicitly mention the collaboration with Israel.

Labeling Iran as a “wicked radical dictatorship,” Trump emphasized that US forces are focused on dismantling essential military assets.

“We are destroying their missile capabilities, demolishing their missile production, and obliterating their navy. We are ensuring that their terrorist proxies can no longer pose threats to the region or the world and attack our forces,” he remarked.

Reaffirming Washington's long-held stance on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Trump asserted, “We will ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. This is a straightforward principle,” while commending the US military for their involvement in the operations.

He acknowledged the risks associated with the ongoing conflict.

“My administration has taken every feasible measure to reduce the risk to US personnel in the region. Nevertheless…the Iranian regime seeks bloodshed. The lives of brave American heroes may be at stake, and we may suffer casualties -- a common occurrence in war. But we are undertaking this for the future, and it is a righteous mission,” Trump remarked.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had conducted strikes and declared a state of emergency nationwide in response to the swiftly changing security landscape.

This military action follows a month-long buildup of US military presence in the region, occurring after President Trump pledged support for protesters opposing the Iranian regime in early January.

In the weeks preceding the strikes, Trump had repeatedly warned that Iran could face military repercussions if it did not abandon its nuclear program.