The eight-minute recording laid bare both the president’s objectives in Iran — which had been unclear — and the potential for dire consequences. The answers were often inconclusive, even as Trump ordered a massive military buildup in the Middle East. In his vague public remarks leading up to the strikes, Trump issued threats not backed by US intelligence — including that Iran would soon have a missile that can hit the US. In ordering the strikes, Trump overcame certain misgivings at launching an operation his military advisers warned could have an uncertain outcome and could prompt outsized retaliation by Tehran. “Just because one president screwed up a military conflict doesn’t mean we can never engage in military conflict again.

Source: CNN February 28, 2026 10:56 UTC