US President demands Iranian troops put down their weapons

Read also: US and Israel hit Iran hard: Is this a war to destroy the regime?

On the evening of March 2, Donald Trump recorded a second video address after the start of the US military operation against Iran. In it, he outlined a number of demands and future plans.

“I once again urge the revolutionary guard, the Iranian military police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death,” the US president said.

He announced that the US has serious objectives and that combat operations will continue until all goals are achieved.

Donald Trump also made several additional claims:

• All of Iran’s military command has been destroyed, and many are reportedly seeking to surrender. He said they are requesting protection and are calling in thousands.
• The US has struck hundreds of targets inside Iran, including IRGC facilities and Iranian air defense systems.
• Nine ships and a shipbuilding facility were destroyed.
• Three American soldiers were killed in combat, and more casualties are likely. America will avenge their deaths.
• He urged all Iranian patriots who want freedom to seize the moment and reclaim their country.
• He called Ali Khamenei pathetic and disgusting, blaming him for the deaths of hundreds and even thousands of Americans and for the killing of countless innocent people in many countries.

What preceded the conflict and how long fighting may last

On the night of February 28, Israel and the United States began striking Iran. Later, according to statements from one Republican official, the key goal of the strikes is to contain Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and destroy the country’s missile arsenal.

On the evening of the first day of the operation, Donald Trump gave interviews to several media outlets. He explained that his decision was caused by the failure of recent nuclear deal negotiations and Tehran’s behavior over recent decades.

In addition, the next day, in an interview with Fox News, the president said that if the operation had not started, Israel could have developed nuclear weapons within two weeks.

During the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other high-ranking Iranian officials were reportedly eliminated. According to Trump, the strikes eliminated 48 officials in total.

For now, hostilities continue, but Trump claims that Iran’s new leadership wants to resume negotiations with the US, and he is open to this. However, the timing of any meeting is still unknown.

In another interview, the US president said that the operation could last up to four weeks.