“The Hour of Your Freedom Has Come”

The United States has launched a major military operation against Iran. Our objective is to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime to the United States and to the world.

For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted “Death to America!” Its history began with the taking of dozens of Americans hostage at the US Embassy in Tehran [in 1979]. It bears responsibility for the attack on American peacekeepers in Beirut in 1983, the bombing of the destroyer Cole in 2000, the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and many other atrocities. We will not tolerate this any longer.

This regime must not obtain nuclear weapons. That is why last year we bombed its nuclear facilities. We tried many times to reach an agreement. But they continued to advance their nuclear program and to develop missiles that can already reach Europe—and soon could reach the United States. We cannot allow this.

We will destroy their missile program. We will destroy their fleet. We will prevent new terrorist attacks by Iranian proxies. We may suffer losses. But we are doing this for the future. To members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Iranian army, and the police: lay down your arms—and you will receive amnesty; otherwise—certain death.

To the people of Iran: the hour of your freedom has come. Stay in shelters. When we are finished—take power into your own hands.