Hello, readers. Kathryn Palmer here. Welcome back to On Politics. Following our special Saturday edition, we're continuing to bring you the latest of our coverage on the developing U.S. war with Iran. |
'No aborts. Good luck': How Trump launched a war |
The U.S. war on Iran began Saturday with a "massive, overwhelming attack" that involved thousands of American servicemembers, hundreds of planes, two aircraft carriers, and hit more than a thousand targets across the country, the Pentagon's top general told reporters. The military received its "final go order" from Trump a day earlier on Feb. 27, Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a news conference today. Trump's message to troops: "Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck," Caine said, using the Pentagon's operational name for the war in Iran. The U.S. military said its first actions were cyberattacks aimed at jamming Iran's ability to communicate and coordinate, and the attack officially began at 9:45 a.m. local time by a "trigger event" conducted by Israel's military. Here's a play-by-play of how it all went down. | President Donald Trump speaks with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during military operations in Iran, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 28, 2026. The White House via Reuters |
Trump faces MAGA backlash on Iran |
The president is facing MAGA skepticism as the military campaign in Iran threatens to strain his political coalition heading into the midterm election. Trump campaigned as a staunch critic of U.S. wars in the Middle East, and his aggressive foreign policy moves since returning to office have sparked backlash within the MAGA movement, including accusations he has betrayed those who subscribed to his anti-interventionist, "America First" pledges. Polling indicates many Republicans are wary of military involvement in Iran, and prominent voices on the right are also airing their skepticism since the United States and Israel launched a military campaign. |
On the ground dispatch: Iran wakes to fear – and quiet joy |
Iranians woke up to a world on Saturday, Mar. 1, that, for the best part of four decades, they dared not hope for: one without the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A shopkeeper told a vetted longtime contributor to USA TODAY that the atmosphere in Tehran was a strange combination of quiet, terror, hidden joy and official mourning. People who could were trying to stay home and indoors in the Persian capital, and explosions could be heard from time to time. Thick black smoke rose from parts of the city throughout the weekend. Khamenei was the highest authority in Iran's regime and a guardian of its rigid theocratic and social doctrine for 36 years. His death and the attacks have launched Iran into a new era of uncertainty. Read more of USA TODAY's on-the-ground dispatch from Tehran here. | | While some described the strikes as necessary to liberate the Iranian people, others were concerned by the financial and moral costs of more warfare. | | An image of the slain conservative activist is among several banners now hanging on the building. He appears alongside other historic figures. | | | | China's foreign minister held talks with Iran and Oman as the U.S.-Israel strikes lead to wider regional conflict. | | | | President Donald Trump's military has attacked Iran, but he hasn't been labeled a war criminal by the UN security council, as a social posts suggests. | | | | Is begging protected by the First Amendment? Alabama says it isn't. But courts have said governments can't completely ban panhandling. | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | |
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