Tensions Explode in the Middle East
*The Middle East was plunged into a new crisis early Saturday as the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The operation has already drawn retaliatory missile fire from Tehran, igniting fears of a full-scale regional war.
President Donald Trump confirmed the assault in a video message posted to Truth Social, announcing the start of what he called “major combat operations” aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli military confirmed it was conducting strikes under the codename “Roaring Lion,” specifically targeting Iranian leadership.
What Happened: Retaliation and Response
The assault began around 9:27 AM Tehran time. Massive explosions rocked the Iranian capital, with smoke plumes rising over key government districts. The U.S. Department of War confirmed dozens of strikes on military targets, missile production facilities, and nuclear sites.
The response from Tehran was swift. Within hours, Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles toward U.S. bases and Israeli positions across the region. Explosions were reported in Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. In Abu Dhabi, the UAE ministry confirmed it had intercepted missiles, though debris tragically resulted in at least one fatality.
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Trump: “The Hour of Your Freedom Is at Hand”
In his address from Mar-a-Lago, President Trump framed the strikes not just as a defensive measure but as an opportunity for the Iranian people to overthrow their government.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump stated. He vowed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” and emphasized that Iran can “never have a nuclear weapon.”
In a direct appeal to Iranian citizens, Trump said:
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. The hour of your freedom is at hand.”
The President acknowledged the potential for American casualties, adding, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties, that often happens in war.”
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Jeffries and Democrats Vow to Block War Powers
Back in Washington, the strikes were met with immediate constitutional backlash. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized the President for bypassing Congress, announcing plans to force a vote on a war powers resolution to halt U.S. involvement.
Jeffries released a statement questioning the legality of the attack:
“The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people… absent exigent circumstances, the Trump administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war.”
He further warned against repeating historical mistakes:
“Equally troublesome… we painfully discovered in several failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Trump administration must… articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East.”
Jeffries confirmed that Democrats are committed to compelling a vote on a resolution spearheaded by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) upon Congress’s return.
Global Fallout and Domestic Reaction
The international community is racing to respond. While the UK stated it did not participate in the strikes, allies like France and Germany expressed grave concern. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the “outbreak of war carries grave consequences.”
On the home front, the strikes have reopened deep partisan divides. While some Republicans backed the President, libertarian-leaning conservatives like Massie opposed the action, posting: “I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First.'”
Immediate Impacts on the Ground
In Israel, the government declared a nationwide state of emergency. Airspace was closed to civilian flights, and the military called up approximately 70,000 reserve soldiers. In Iran, internet monitors reported a “near-total internet blackout” with connectivity dropping to 4%. Hospitals in Tehran were placed on alert as residents fled the capital.
The Road Ahead
As of this morning, the situation remains fluid with reports of follow-up strikes on western Iran. With Tehran vowing to retaliate further and Congress preparing for a constitutional showdown, the world watches anxiously.
Footage from Minab, Iran, shows the aftermath of an Israeli-US strike on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed more than 50 people. pic.twitter.com/SGKjBP8nQo
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 28, 2026
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