In the week following the start of military action against Iran, former President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials have offered a series of public statements detailing the rationale for the operation. The justifications for “Operation Epic Fury,” which began Feb. 28, 2026, were presented in press briefings, social media posts, and media interviews, and have ranged from pre-emptive self-defense to enabling regime change.
On Feb. 28, Trump announced the operation in a video posted to his Truth Social platform. He described the action as a response to “47 years of Iranian aggression” and stated one objective was to “eliminate the imminent nuclear threat.” In the same message, he encouraged the Iranian people to “take back your country.”
Later that day, Trump provided additional details on the potential scope of the operation. In comments to Axios, he mentioned possibilities ranging from a short-term strike to a more extended engagement. The Washington Post reported that Trump told them in a separate phone call that the goal was “freedom” for the Iranian people.
Also on Feb. 28, the U.S. mission to the United Nations formally invoked Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, which provides for the right of self-defense. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council that Iran’s missile program and nuclear ambitions posed a threat to American forces in the region. “The United States has taken lawful actions to address these threats,” Waltz said.
At a Pentagon press briefing on March 2, spokesperson Pete Hegseth said the operation’s mission was “laser-focused” on destroying Iran’s offensive missiles and military infrastructure. “This is not a so-called regime-change war,” Hegseth stated, while also encouraging Iranians to “take advantage of this incredible opportunity.”
That same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a different context for the timing of the strikes. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Rubio said the U.S. had knowledge of a planned Israeli strike against Iran and that Tehran had authorized its forces to retaliate against U.S. assets if such an attack occurred. “We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces,” Rubio said, describing the situation as an “imminent threat.”
On March 3, Trump responded to questions regarding Rubio’s statement. He said the decision was based on his assessment that Iran was “going to attack first.” When asked if Israel’s plans influenced the timing, Trump said, “If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand.” Following Trump’s comments, Rubio told reporters his previous remarks had been taken out of context.
On March 6, Trump posted on Truth Social: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” The statement came after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that “Some countries have begun mediation efforts,” adding that Iran is “committed to lasting peace” but would defend its sovereignty.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters that Trump’s use of “unconditional surrender” referred to a point when the president determines “that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America and the goal of Operation Epic Fury has been fully realized.”
