‘All I want is freedom for…’: Trump's big remark after US-Israel strike on Iran

Trump was speaking hours after Israel and US jointly launched strikes on Iran, which among other things targeted the area near Khamenei's residence.

Updated on: Feb 28, 2026, 20:35:05 IST

By Majid Alam

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After the US-Israel joint strikes on Iran triggered a wider tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the goal of the military strikes on Tehran was "freedom" for the Iranian people.

US President Donald Trump speaks to announce that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations" in Iran, on the day Israel and the U.S. conducted strikes on Iran. (via REUTERS)

Trump was speaking hours after Israel and US jointly launched strikes on Iran, which among other things targeted the area near Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei's residence and a school east of Iran, leaving at least 50 dead.

“All I want is freedom for the people,” Trump told the Washington Post on a phone call, adding “I want a safe nation, and that’s what we’re going to have.”

Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, several reports said citing Israeli officials.

Earlier in the day, Trump warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity, or face "certain death" after Israel, along with the US, launched a state of full-scale conflict and struck multiple targets across Iran.

Declaring that the "hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered as "bombs will be dropping everywhere". Trump said the operation as a historic opportunity for the public to "take over" their government.

The latest strike follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike hit a primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Majid Alam
Majid Alam is a Chief Content Producer working at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. He currently heads shifts at online desk and manages homepage apart from writing, editing and curating articles. With over six years of experience in journalism, Majid has navigated national, politics and international news. His work primarily focuses on the politics of the Hindi heartland, government policies, and South Asia. He also writes on US and Europe’s policies vis-à-vis India. Before joining Hindustan Times, Majid worked at ABP LIVE as the Chief Copy Editor and at News18, where he managed the World and Explainers sections. His articles have featured in Dialogue Earth, The Quint, BMJ, The Diplomat, and Outlook India. Majid has a keen interest in the use of data for storytelling. Majid holds a Masters in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia. He was awarded the Erasmus+ scholarship to study International Affairs at Sciences Po, Paris in 2020. He is also part of the OCEANS Network, an alumni network of Erasmus+ exchange scholars. He is currently serving as the National Representative (India) at the OCEANS Network. Apart from journalism, Majid has a flair for academic writing and loves to teach. He has published a book chapter: 'Bombay Cinema and Postmodernism' in the book: 'Handbook of Research on Social and Cultural Dynamics in Indian Cinema.' He was also part of the OCEANS Network delegation to Hanoi National University of Education in Vietnam in 2025. He has also given guest lecture in digital journalism at AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia.Read More

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