On March 2, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that Israel was prepared to strike Iran independently, prompting the Trump administration to make a challenging decision regarding military action. Johnson shared these insights with reporters following a closed briefing led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio for congressional leaders.
According to Johnson, Israel perceives Iran’s missile program as an existential threat and is determined to act for its own defense, with or without U.S. backing. He noted that Iran’s rapid missile production was outpacing the capabilities of U.S. allies in the region.
The Trump administration faced a difficult choice: if Israel were to launch an attack on Iran alone, Tehran would likely retaliate against American military personnel, facilities, and citizens in the region. Intelligence reports supported this scenario. Johnson warned that inaction could lead to devastating consequences, a sentiment echoed by Secretary Rubio regarding previous attacks on U.S. assets.
Johnson outlined two primary objectives of the operation dubbed “Epic Fury”: the destruction of Iran’s short- and medium-range missile capabilities and its naval power. He emphasized that the operation was not aimed at regime change.
When asked about the need for congressional approval, Johnson referenced his background in constitutional law, asserting that while he is a strong advocate for legislative authority, the president acted within his rights. He clarified that the operation was defensive in nature and consistent with practices used for decades.
Johnson explained that Congress was not informed more broadly prior to the operation due to concerns about sensitive intelligence leaks if a larger group had been briefed beyond the “Gang of Eight.”
Opposing a vote on a resolution regarding military powers, Johnson described attempts to restrict the president’s ability to execute military operations as dangerous. He expressed confidence in having enough support to defeat such measures.
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, with President Trump later announcing that U.S. forces had initiated a “major combat operation” against Iran to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime. Trump accused Iran of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Hamas in Palestine, stating that the military operation aimed to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities, ensuring global stability.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the escalating military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the necessity of providing Iranians with the opportunity to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian aggression.
On February 28, Trump tweeted that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The following day, the IRGC announced the commencement of what it termed the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon its plans, threatening a “very strong response” if they did not.
The U.S. and Israel have launched military operations against Iran, citing existential threats from Tehran's missile program. House Speaker Mike Johnson detailed the complexities of the decision-making process, emphasizing the need for decisive action to prevent Iranian retaliation against American forces.