Trump calls Iran’s political leadership a ‘murderous regime’ in national address
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump criticised the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters during his address to the nation on Wednesday, March 1. He also described Iran’s political leadership as a “murderous regime” as the conflict in the Middle East continues to expand.
The United States and Israel launched joint strikes on February 28 targeting Iran’s political and military establishment after negotiations over its nuclear program failed. The Trump administration has also stated that the "objectives are nearing completion" and the operation can continue for a few weeks.
Trump calls Iranian regime ‘murderous’ while describing military losses
Trump delivered a sharp assessment of Iran’s military condition and leadership during his Trump delivered a sharp assessment of Iran’s military condition and leadership during his address. “Tonight, Iran's navy is gone. Their air forces in ruins. Their leaders, most of them terrorist regime they led are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak,” he said.
He added that its ability to launch missiles and drones has been “dramatically curtailed,” with weapons factories and rocket launchers being destroyed. He further described the scale of damage, stating, “Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating large-scale losses in a matter of weeks.”
Trump also accused the Iranian regime of killing large numbers of its own citizens during protests. “This murderous regime also recently killed 45,000 of their own people who were protesting in Iran,” he said.
He also warned against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, calling it an “intolerable threat” and describing the regime as “the most violent and thuggish on Earth.” Referring to past incidents, Trump said the regime and its proxies were responsible for the deaths of 241 Americans in the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, attacks involving roadside bombs, and the USS Cole attack.
He also linked Iran to “horrible bloody atrocities of October 7th in Israel.” He reiterated, “I will never let that happen,” referring to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, adding that the situation has persisted for 47 years and should have been handled earlier.
Trump warns Iran over protests and outlines US military buildup
In January, Trump had warned Iran of “very strong action” if it carried out executions of protesters, prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury. He also posted on Truth Social that Iranian authorities would “pay a big price” for killings and urged citizens to continue demonstrations.
He further stated, “I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!,” he wrote, referencing the slogan “Make Iran Great Again.” In another post, he added, “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY.”
Reports cited by TIME indicated that as many as 30,000 people may have been killed on January 8 and 9 alone, according to two senior officials from Iran’s Ministry of Health. The scale of deaths reportedly overwhelmed state systems, with body bags exhausted and semi-trailers used in place of ambulances.
Amid escalating tensions, US troop levels in West Asia have reportedly crossed 57,000, marking the largest buildup since 2003. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli deployed 3,500 Marines alongside paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division amid reports of a potential assault on Kharg Island.
Military operations are also underway from bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and other Gulf nations, with plans to deploy an additional 10,000 ground troops, according to the Pentagon.
Trump also issued a warning regarding negotiations, stating that if no deal is reached, the US would target Iran’s civilian infrastructure. “If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously,” he said.
