Trump tells Iranian forces to surrender or face 'certain death'
US President Donald Trump issued a forceful ultimatum to Iranian forces to surrender or face "certain death," asserting that the US military has already destroyed key Iranian military installations and ships.
On February 28, 2026, US President Donald Trump delivered a video address warning Iranian security forces to surrender or face "certain death," following joint US-Israel airstrikes on Iran. Trump directly appealed to the Revolutionary Guard, Iranian military, and police to "disarm and accept complete immunity or confront inevitable" death, as reported by the Philippine Inquirer's global edition. The ultimatum came after US military reports indicated the destruction of the Revolutionary Guards' headquarters and initial US casualties of three service members killed and five critically injured.
The operation was part of a major US-Israeli combat initiative targeting Iran's missile capabilities, naval forces, terrorist proxies, and nuclear program. Trump stated the objective was to defend American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, vowing to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," "annihilate their navy," and ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. He cited historical grievances including the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing and attacks on US forces in Iraq as justification for the military action.
Trump also addressed the Iranian civilian population, urging them to shelter during strikes while declaring "the hour of your freedom is at hand," signaling support for potential regime change. The strikes began on February 28 and continued into March 1, with Trump delivering the address before departing Palm Beach for Washington. The operation followed Israel's preemptive strikes, with US confirmation of joint planning between the two nations.
The context of these events builds on failed nuclear negotiations between 2025-2026, during which Trump reinstated a "maximum pressure" campaign in February 2025 and sent a warning letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 7, 2025, threatening military consequences. Reports indicate Khamenei's office was targeted in the strikes, and Trump later claimed on Truth Social that Khamenei was killed with Israeli support. The conflict risks wider regional escalation, with Trump warning of unprecedented retaliation if Iran escalates further.
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