Feb 28, 2026, 3:14 AM EST
WATCH: Trump announces 'major operation' in Iran
President Donald Trump announced the "massive and ongoing operation" targeting Iran.
Watch the full announcement:
As Iran retaliates, largest US military base in Middle East hit by ballistic missile, Qatar says
No one was injured, according to the Qatari Ministry of Defense.
ByJon Haworth, Jack Moore, Nadine El-Bawab, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Meredith Deliso, and Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: March 3, 2026, 10:02 PM EST
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Saturday, with daytime strikes in the joint U.S.-Israel attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
On Sunday, Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed by airstrikes in Tehran on Saturday.
Iran is responding to the U.S.-Israeli operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and Gulf nations. American diplomatic facilities have also been attacked.
In Lebanon, Israel is intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah militia.
Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Key Headlines
- Mar 04, 2026, 12:06 AM EST
- Mar 03, 2026, 11:54 PM EST
- Mar 03, 2026, 10:01 PM EST
- Mar 03, 2026, 9:19 PM EST
- Mar 03, 2026, 9:06 PM EST
Here's how the news is developing.
Feb 28, 2026, 3:04 AM EST
Trump calls for regime change: 'Take over your government'
At the end of his message, President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to seize this opportunity for regime change.
"Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump said.
He added, "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."
Speaking to the Iranian people, Trump said: "No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach."
Feb 28, 2026, 2:57 AM EST
Trump says Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon'
President Donald Trump called Iran the "world’s number one state sponsor of terror," and said that that they can "never have a nuclear weapon," shortly after U.S. and Israel have launched a joint attack on Iran.
In a video post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran "just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested."
"It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said. "I will say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon."
Feb 28, 2026, 2:50 AM EST
Trump says 'lives of courageous American heroes may be lost' in Iran strike
President Donald Trump said that "the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties," in a video post on Truth Social early Saturday morning.
"That often happens in war. But we are doing this not for now, we are doing this for the future and it is a noble mission," Trump continued.
