‘We may have casualties’: Trump warns Americans could lose their lives amid strikes in Iran

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, February 28, that the United States had launched "major combat operations" against Iran, explicitly warning that the mission carried a significant risk to American lives.

In a video shared via Truth Social, the president acknowledged the potential for US casualties as the military attempted to annihilate the Iranian navy and destroy its missile capabilities.

"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties," Trump stated, describing the escalation as a "noble mission" for the future of the world.

The strikes followed a series of failed diplomatic talks regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, with the president asserting that Washington "can’t take it anymore" after Tehran rejected every opportunity to renounce its programs.

Pentagon launches multi-day 'Operation Epic Fury'

The Pentagon officially named the current military offensive 'Operation Epic Fury', marking the second time the Trump administration struck Iranian territory since last year.

Unlike the single-day attacks on nuclear sites in June 2025, a US official confirmed that these latest strikes are expected to be carried out over several days.

While the administration claimed to have taken steps to minimize risks to personnel, Trump emphasized that the Iranian regime actively "seeks to kill."

The president remained at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida, and the White House indicated that there were currently no plans for a formal address to the nation.

'Gang of Eight' received warnings

Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed top congressional leaders, known as the "Gang of Eight," both on Tuesday and late Friday night.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that while diplomatic efforts were pursued until the last moment, Rubio notified leaders that the attack was likely to commence in the hours following his Friday night update.

However, the briefing sparked internal discord within the committee.

Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the move as a "war of choice with no strategic endgame," arguing that the president had failed to learn the lessons of history.

Ultimatum for the Revolutionary Guard

In his address, President Trump delivered a stark ultimatum to the IRGC, Iran's elite military force. He promised that any members who laid down their weapons would be granted immunity by the United States.

For those who continued to resist or maintain their posts, the president warned that the only other option was "certain death."

This hardline stance came after Trump claimed that the regime had refused to renounce its nuclear ambitions during a final round of talks held this past Thursday.

Call for citizens to take power

Addressing the Iranian public directly, the President urged citizens to take cover as bombs dropped "everywhere."

He encouraged the population to seize the moment once the military operations concluded, suggesting that the resulting vacuum was a rare opportunity for regime change.

"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take," Trump told the Iranian people.

He characterized the current unrest as a pivotal turning point, telling the citizens of Iran that this might be their "only chance for generations" to secure their freedom.