‘Bombs Will Be Dropping Everywhere’: Trump Urges Iranians To Seize Government Once US-Israel Strike Campaign Is ‘Finished’
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Feb 28) declared that American forces have launched “major combat operations” against Iran, hours after Israel’s Defence Ministry announced what it described as “preemptive strikes” on Tehran.
Israeli media reported that approximately 30 targets across Iran had been struck, including the Iranian President’s residence and an intelligence headquarters.
Addressing the Iranian people directly, Trump said: “To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered, don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside bombs will be dropping everywhere.”
The US President urged Iranians to seize political control once military operations conclude. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am doing 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 strength,” Trump said.
Trump also issued a stark warning to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, its armed forces, and police, telling them to lay down their weapons in exchange for full immunity or face death. “To the Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must all lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” he said.
Also Read: US Steps Up Pressure On Tehran, Labels Iran ‘State Sponsor Of Wrongful Detention’
The whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remained unknown after Israel, allegedly in a coordinated move with the United States, carried out a targeted preemptive strike near his headquarters in Tehran. It was unclear whether Khamenei was present at the location during the strike or whether he sustained any injuries. Citing an Iranian official, Reuters reported that the supreme leader had been moved to a secure location.