In striking Iran, the United States isn’t responding to an attack, as when the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor drew the country into World War II. The Trump administration hasn’t presented a formal case for war, as the George W. Bush administration did before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Instead, President Donald Trump and top administration officials have offered a range of rationales for launching Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic. So if anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand.” Trump, remarks to reporters, March 3“Somebody asked me a question yesterday — did we go in because of Israel. Well, I got him first.” — Trump, ABC News interview, March 2“Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.” — Hegseth, remarks to reporters, March 2“We’ve known for a long time that Iran had intentions on trying to kill President Trump and or other U.S. officials.

Source: Washington Post March 07, 2026 14:31 UTC