Read the full text of Donald Trump’s statement on the Iran strikes – National
US President Donald Trump said in a right-hand video posted on his Truth Social page that the US has begun “major combat operations in Iran.”
He said Iran continued to develop its nuclear program and planned to develop missiles to reach the US and urged the Iranian people to “take over your government.”
Here is Trump’s full address:
A short time ago, the United States military began large-scale combat operations in Iran. Our mission is to protect the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian government. A brutal group of very difficult, scary people. Its dangerous activities endanger the United States, our military, our overseas bases, and our allies around the world.
For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and carried out a relentless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our soldiers and innocent people in so many countries. Among the regime’s first actions was to support the violent takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iranian proxies bombed Beirut, killing 241 American soldiers.
In 2000, they knew and were probably involved in the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces have killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime’s lawyers have continued to attack dozens of US military bases in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial and international shipping. It has been a great fear, and we will not tolerate it anymore.
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From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, this regime has armed, trained and financed terrorist forces that have drenched the world in blood and guts. And it was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that launched a horrific attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killed more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something the world had never seen.
Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and has recently killed tens of thousands of its citizens in the streets as they protest. It has always been the policy of the United States, especially my administration, that this terrorist regime will never have a nuclear weapon. I will say it again, they will never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we shut down the regime’s nuclear program in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them not to pursue aggressive nuclear weapons again, and we repeatedly called for an agreement. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. They want to do it again. They didn’t want to do it. They didn’t know what was going on. They just wanted to do bad things. But Iran refused, as it has done for decades and decades.
They have rejected every opportunity to abandon their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore. Instead, they have tried to rebuild their nuclear program and continue to develop long-range missiles that can now threaten our best friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and can quickly reach the US mainland. Imagine how bold this regime would be if they had, and actually had, nuclear weapons as a means of delivering their message.
For these reasons, the United States military is doing a great and ongoing job to prevent this very evil, violent dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We will destroy their missiles and destroy their missile industry. It will also be completely destroyed. We will destroy their navy. We will ensure that terrorist proxies in the region can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to seriously injure and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will make sure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon. A very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.
This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the might and power of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military in the world even close to the strength, power or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region. However, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime wants to kill. The lives of brave American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we don’t do this yet. We do this for the future. And it’s a good job. We pray for all service members as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that the American people and our children are never threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all our heroes from danger. And we hope that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will win. We have the greatest in the world, and they will win.
To the members of the Islamic Revolution Guard, the army and all the police, I say that tonight you must lay down your weapons and be fully protected. Or alternatively, face certain death. So, put your arms down. You will be treated properly with complete immunization, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great and proud people of Iran, I say tonight the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay protected. Do not leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we’re done, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be your only chance for generations.
For many years, he asked for American help. But you didn’t get it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who gives you what you want. So let’s see how you answer. America supports you with great power and destructive power. Now is the time to take control of your destiny, and unlock the brightest and most glorious future within your reach. This is the time for action. Don’t let it pass.
May God bless the brave men and women of America’s military. May God bless the United States of America. God bless you all. Thank you.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
