Washington D.C. – Following joint military action by Israel and the United States against targets in Iran, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his desire for freedom for the Iranian people. The strikes, which began on Saturday, February 28, 2026, have targeted locations in Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory actions from Iran against Israel and U.S. Forces in the Persian Gulf region.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Trump stated, “All I want is freedom for the people.” He added, “I want a safe country and we will have that.” The former president’s comments reach as reports emerge of “large-scale combat operations” underway in Iran, with Trump calling for a change in the current regime.
Taking to his platform, Truth Social, Trump urged Iranian soldiers to lay down their arms and encouraged Iranian citizens to overthrow the leadership of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The bombs are falling all over,” Trump reportedly said. “When we’re finished, take over the government. It will be in your hands. This may be your only chance in many generations.” He further asserted, “America supports you with tremendous strength and devastating power.”
The strikes have resulted in casualties on both sides. According to early reports, one person was lightly injured in Israel due to intercepted Iranian rockets, while one fatality occurred in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as a result of an Iranian rocket attack. A girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, was also reportedly destroyed in a missile strike.
Adding to the escalating situation, Trump announced on Sunday that 48 Iranian leaders have been eliminated in the U.S. And Israeli strikes. Speaking to Fox News, Trump stated, “Nobody can believe the successes we’re having. Forty-eight leaders, just like that, are gone. And it’s developing rapidly.” He confirmed that the supreme leader of Iran’s theocratic regime, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those killed.
Iranian state television reported the deaths of several high-ranking military officials, including Army Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour, and head of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. Later reports from Iranian media confirmed the deaths of police intelligence chief Golamreza Rezayan and former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The developments underscore growing regional tensions and raise concerns about a wider conflict. The announcement of the strikes and subsequent casualties could influence future diplomatic talks and international efforts to de-escalate the situation.
