Trump: 'Freedom' for Iran is goal of 'major military operation'

"All I want is freedom for the people. I want a safe nation, and that's what we're going to have. Trump made these statements in a brief phone interview shortly after 4 a.m., his first reportable remarks since announcing major combat operations in a video message around 2:30 a.m."

"A U.S. official said a multiday operation against Iran began at about 1 a.m. Eastern time with a salvo of ship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles and air-launched munitions from U.S. Air Force and Navy jets. Iran quickly launched counterstrikes in response to the attack, which the Trump administration has named Operation Epic Fury."

"Despite his previous criticism of U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern wars—particularly American lives lost during efforts to topple and install new regimes—Trump on Saturday made the case for the United States helping to bring about regime change in the country, urging Iranians to take over their government."

The U.S. military initiated a multiday operation against Iran beginning with ship-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles and air-launched munitions from Air Force and Navy jets. Iran responded with counterstrikes targeting multiple U.S. military bases, including the 5th Fleet support facility in Bahrain. No U.S. service members were injured during the initial operations. Israel also launched attacks on Iran. President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, stated his primary concern is achieving freedom for the Iranian people and ensuring national safety. He urged Iranians to take control of their government once the strikes cease, marking a shift from his previous criticism of U.S. military involvement in Middle Eastern regime-change efforts.

Read at The Washington Post