Donald Trump released an eight-minute video statement on Truth Social at 2:30am Saturday, speaking from a lectern bearing the presidential seal with US flags behind him, described as likely at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
In the video, Trump said the United States had undertaken âa massive and ongoing operationâ against Iran and stated objectives including to âraze their missile industry to the groundâ and âannihilate their navy.â He acknowledged US casualties were possible.
He referenced past attacks and actions he attributed to Iran and Iranian proxy groups, cited Hamasâs 7 October attacks on Israel, and reiterated that Iran âcan never have a nuclear weapon.â He said the US wanted a deal but Tehran refused.
Trump warned members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard to lay down their weapons, promising âtotal immunityâ or âcertain death.â He told the Iranian people to stay sheltered because âbombs will be dropping everywhere,â and urged them to âtake over your governmentâ when the US is finished.
The account states Trump amassed a large military âarmadaâ in the Middle East with little explanation to Congress or the public and offered his rationale after bombing had begun.