March 3, 2026—In violation of international law, the United States and Israel started a war against Iran in the early hours of Saturday, February 28. The strikes targeted the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killing him and members of his family, air defense capabilities, missile sites, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and an elementary school for girls. The Pentagon calls the attack, “Operation Epic Fury.”
Iran responded with missiles and drones targeting U.S. bases, Israel, and strategic sites throughout the region.
Across the media spectrum, editorial boards, observers and others have called the actions by the United States and Israel as “a war of choice.”
Death Toll
To date as of March 3, the death toll includes at least 787 people in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, six U.S. service members, nine Israelis, 31 people in Lebanon, one person in the United Arab Emirates, and 22 people in Pakistan.
The War President
As a candidate for office, President Donald Trump repeatedly identified himself as an antiwar contender. Dropsite News compiled a video of Trump statements over 10 years claiming he would end wars, not start them.
“These war hawks, they want to draft your kids to die in wars, and they will never fight themselves,” Trump said as a candidate for office.
Since returning to the White House in his second term, Trump has attacked seven countries: Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Iran. The latest joint U.S.-Israel regime-change war against Iran, a country of 92 million people, is the largest escalation yet of military aggression.
Under international law, it is not legal to use armed force against another country without UN Security Council authorization or a clear imminent threat. Furthermore, in the United States, a president needs congressional approval to start a war. Trump, however, has previously admitted he does not follow international law and is only guided by “my own morality, my own mind.”
So, what did Trump have in mind when starting this war? Administration officials, including Trump himself, have struggled to identify their reasons for starting the war. Below, are some of the stated objectives.
Regime Change
First, Trump and his administration officials stated the goal of regime change. Not only did the military strikes kill the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the IRGC command and control facilities and commanders.
“Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said in a prerecorded video released February 28.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/read-trumps-full-statement-on-iran-attack
The Dangerous US-Israeli Alliance
Briefing Capitol Hill on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers and the press that the United States entered the war because Israel planned to attack Iran and that would mean retaliatory attacks against U.S. military and interests in the region.
Rubio also acknowledged the objective of regime-change, but added that the Trump administration wants to destroy Iran’s ballistic missiles.
“We would love for there to be an Iran that is not governed by radical clerics. If there’s something we can do to help the people of Iran down the road we would be open to it, but our objective is the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities,” Rubio said.
Total Destruction
In the same statement announcing the operation, Trump indicated total destruction of Iranian defenses and total domination by the U.S. government are ultimate goals.
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength, or sophistication.”
A Forty-Year Dream Come True
For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, war with Iran, Israel’s regional rival, is a lifetime dream come true.
“This combined effort allows us to do what I’ve hoped to achieve for forty years, to crush the regime of terror completely,” he said in a televised statement.
Separately, Netanyahu invoked the genocidal notion of Amalek—a call to kill every living thing of a so-called enemy.
“We read in this week’s Torah portion, ‘Remember what Amalek did to you.’ We remember and we act,” he said.
Opposition Leaders Killed
On Tuesday, Trump acknowledged that part of the problem with regime-change wars is the unpredictability. In response to a question from the press, Trump said the worst-case scenario is that new hardliners, worse than the leaders taken out, emerge as leaders.
Asked about his preference for Iranian leadership, Trump waffled.
“Most of the people we had in mind are dead. We had some in mind from that group that is dead. Now, we have another group. They may be dead also, based on reports. So, I guess you have a third wave coming in. Pretty soon, we’re not going to know anybody,” Trump said.
The Battles
The United States and Israel have hit Iran with over a thousand strikes. Targets include not just the regime but civilians. In a single strike that hit an all-girls elementary school, at least 150 children were killed. Some observers say the strikes appear indiscriminate.
“People on the ground say the bombing campaign is beyond anything they have seen and seemingly indiscriminate,” said Trita Parsi, an Iranian-born Swedish writer who is executive vice president at the Quincy Institute. “Increasingly, Israel and the United States appear to be following the Gaza playbook, having failed to achieve a quick regime implosion.”
Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman. The targets were U.S. military bases, airports, and shipping infrastructure. Air defenses in the region intercepted many of the strikes.
In an apparent friendly-fire incident, three U.S. fighter jets were shot down. All the pilots safely ejected and were reportedly in stable condition at a hospital in Kuwait. So far, six U.S. service members have been killed. Appearing willing to sacrifice them, Trump said more Americans would die.
“We grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation even as we continue the righteous mission which they gave their lives,” Trump said. “And sadly, there will likely be more [Americans killed] before it ends. That’s the way it is.”
