Month: February 2026

The White House on Saturday released photos of President Trump and senior administration officials monitoring Operation Epic Fury in Iran in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Trump was in his war room at Mar-a-Lago when the strikes took place.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead after the strikes.

BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Confirmed DEAD – Israeli Officials Say His Body Has Been Found

Trump was seen dancing to “God Bless the USA” during a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night, just before the bombs hit Iran. At the end of the song, Trump told everybody to “have a great time.”

“We gotta go work. I gotta go to work!” he added while secretly planning to oversee the military operation.

WATCH:

The White House released photos of Trump, wearing a white “USA” hat, monitoring the strikes at Mar-a-Lago with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan “Raizin” Caine is seen pointing at TV monitors, giving a presentation.

President Donald J. Trump Monitors U.S. Military Operations in Iran: Operation Epic Fury, February 28, 2026 pic.twitter.com/7zRC0mhoXk

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026

Another photo shows JD Vance monitoring the situation in the Situation Room at the White House with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet Secretaries in the Situation Room, February 28, 2026 pic.twitter.com/x3AFYv3fyH

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026

The post White House Releases Photos of Trump and Rubio Monitoring Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago – JD Vance, Gabbard, and Bessent in Situation Room appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Senator Markwayne Mullin was on Newsmax with host Tom Basile on Saturday to discuss the events unfolding in Iran.

“Your initial reaction to Operation Epic Fury?” Basile asked.

“First of all, I want to speak directly to the Iranian people and let them know this is your time. This is your time to rise up and take your country back from the Ayatollah that has been pillaging your beautiful country,” Mullin said.

“This is a time for you to go back to what you were prior to the Ayatollah coming into power in 1979. We had a good relationship with Iran,” Mullin continued.

“This is your time. We can’t fight your fight for you,” Mullin said.

“President Trump was very, very clear on what he said. If you lay down your arms and start fighting for your country again, not for the Ayatollah, you have complete amnesty,” Mullin said.

Senator Mullin explained that the Ayatollah (and predecessor) has been a threat to the US for 47 years. Their regime has attacked Americans and American interests and regularly chants “death to America.”

“As far as this operation goes, this is a long time coming. Since 1979, for 47 years, the Ayatollah and his murderous regime has been chanting death to America. They have attacked us on multiple occasions,” Mullin said.

“We’ve had Presidents after President, after President turned a blind eye to them, but they weren’t going away. They were becoming more and more emboldened,” Mullin continued.

Senator Mullin explained that the threat that the Iranian regime posed to the US and world economy was real and that President Trump’s strength and resolve would eliminate the threat.

“The amount of destabilization they can do to the world economy because of the amount of oil that is shipped through there. The shipping lanes that they are proxy to. It could have huge disruption on the world economy plus the United States economy,” Mullin explained.

“Thank God that President Trump has the fortitude and the backbone to say we are not going to put up with it,” Mullin said.

“He wanted diplomacy to work. It didn’t work, and so now he is having to turn to strength, and we will eliminate the threat that will no longer be able to threaten American assets abroad and home,” Mullin continued.

Watch:

The post Senator Markwayne Mullin Weighs in on ‘Operation Epic Fury’ in Iran (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) came out in support of the joint U.S. and Israeli attack on the Islamist Iranian regime Saturday.

Two hours after President Donald Trump issued an overnight statement announcing the attack on the Iranian regime, Fetterman posted his support, “”Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.”

Operation Epic Fury.

President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.

God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026

Fetterman followed later Saturday morning with a statement breaking with his fellow Senate Democrats, saying he is a “hard no” on a War Powers Resolution that would block Trump’s use of the military against Iran, “Committed Democrat here. I’m a hard no. My vote is Operation Epic Fury.”

Committed Democrat here.

I’m a hard no.

My vote is Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/VTiFcWbzqG

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026

Excerpt from the Axios report Fetterman responded to:

Democrats on Saturday urged Congress to quickly vote on war powers resolutions after the Trump administration launched overnight strikes on Iran.

Why it matters: President Trump launched the strikes without approval from Congress, triggering backlash from Democrats and one Republican.

…What they’re saying: “The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in a statement.

“Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action,” he added. Kaine had been planning to force a vote on his war powers resolution next week.

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) echoed Kaine’s calls, telling CNN on Saturday morning: “We should have Congress immediately go back into session for the War Powers vote to reassert the American people’s will, which, again, they don’t want to be at war. So I’m ready to go right back to the Senate today.”

The House is not expected to return until Wednesday, and the Senate will return on Monday.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced on Thursday he would force a Senate vote next week on his War Powers Resolution blocking Trump from attacking Iran (excerpt):

Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), announced that they will force a vote in the coming days on their War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Iran is explicitly authorized by Congress. It would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself or Israel from an Iranian attack. The War Powers Resolution is privileged; it was introduced on January 29 and may be called up for a vote on the Senate floor.

In the House, Democrat Ro Khana (CA) and Republican Thomas Massie (KY) are also pushing a War Powers Resolution vote (Axios excerpt):

House Democratic leadership on Thursday announced plans to force a vote next week on a resolution that would require President Trump to seek congressional authorization to use military force in Iran.

Why it matters: The vote has a chance to pass in the House, with even some House Republicans expressing opposition as the White House inches closer to a potential major war in the Middle East.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a staunch anti-interventionist, is leading the war powers effort with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

In a morning interview on Fox & Friends, Fetterman spoke at length about his support for the attack:

Key video clip excerpt:

FETTERMAN: “I might be a Democrat, but in this specific case the president’s absolute correct to do these kinds of actions.” pic.twitter.com/XIbYrk4vYQ

— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 28, 2026

Complete interview:

The post Fetterman Supports Attack on Iran Regime, Will Vote Against War Powers Resolution appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Ayatollah Khamenei, supreme leader of Iran, was killed during a joint Israel-U.S. attack on Iran Saturday, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. informed American officials.

Khamenei served as Iran’s chief theocrat and highest authority for 35 years. His death is a major blow to the regime and leaves the country with a leadership vacuum at the highest level. Airstrikes have also targeted much of Iran’s political and military leadership, leaving major uncertainty as to who will be his successor and when a change of leadership will be made effective.

The death of Khamenei is a major coup for Israel, which has repeatedly threatened to kill the ayatollah and topple the Iranian government. It also achieves a major objective of President Donald Trump, who has called for a change of regime in the country, exhorting Iranians in his speech Saturday to “take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations.”

The post Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Dead, Israel Says appeared first on The American Conservative.

President Trump broke his silence following the Iran strikes on Saturday morning, telling Axios of potential “off-ramps” in the conflict. 

“I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: ‘See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],” Trump told Axios in a phone interview from Mar-a-Lago.

This is the first time Trump commented on the strikes since releasing a statement early on Saturday morning.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump announced earlier that American forces are engaged in what he described as a “massive and ongoing operation” aimed at neutralizing the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten US troops, American allies, and the homeland itself.

Trump pointed to the 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran, where dozens of Americans were held captive for 444 days, the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 US military personnel, Iranian-backed militias responsible for killing and maiming hundreds of American troops in Iraq, and continued proxy attacks against US forces and commercial vessels in Middle Eastern shipping lanes.

He further said that after Operation Midnight Hammer last June, where US forces bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, “we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we repeatedly sought to make a deal.”

“We tried. They wanted to do it—they didn’t,” Trump said. “They wanted to do it—again—they didn’t want to do it.”

In closing his statement, Trump encouraged the Iranian people to seize control of their government.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said to the people of Iran.

“This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”

Israel further confirmed it had launched a pre-emptive strike on Iranian territory, joined by a broader US military offensive targeting military and nuclear sites across Tehran and other major cities, including areas near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei has since been confirmed dead by Israeli officials.

BREAKING: Iran”s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Confirmed DEAD – Israeli Officials Say His Body Has Been Found

The post JUST IN: Trump Threatens to “Take Over the Whole Thing” After Iran Strikes Kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Central Command on Saturday released video of American fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ fires missiles on Iranian targets.

The US and Israel conducted military strikes on Iran on Saturday morning.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the military strikes.

The strikes also killed Iran’s defense minister and the commander of its Revolutionary Guard, the AP reported.

Fox News reported that the Supreme Leader’s compound was leveled and 40 top Iranian leaders were killed.

“US official confirms to Fox that US believes Khamenei and 5-10 top Iranian leaders killed in initial Israeli strike on compound; agree with Israel’s intelligence assessment,” Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin said.

“A senior US defense official tells me that the US government agrees with the Israeli assessment that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, along with 5-10 other top Iranian leaders who were all meeting at a compound in Tehran Saturday morning. The top IRGC commander also killed,” Jennifer Griffin.

BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed dead after Israeli strike. pic.twitter.com/93y4aFHyod

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2026

US Central Command released unclassified footage of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on Saturday.

“As the President stated, our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” CENTCOM said.

“The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow,” CENTCOM said.

WATCH:

The post US Releases Epic Unclassified Video of American Fighter Jets Bombing Iranian Targets (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Jesse Kelly of “The First” and author and podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey discussed the left’s exploitation of Christianity.

The video opens with Texas Congressional Candidate James Talarico using communist tactics, talking about Christianity and scripture to manipulate conservatives and Christians.

Talarico made the claim that “America is not a Christian nation.”

“James Talarico’s problems are going well beyond the poll numbers here in Texas. A man who has campaigned exclusively on manipulating the Word of God to tell people that Jesus wouldn’t want you to read the Ten Commandments and he would love for you to have an abortion,” Kelly said.

“The guy is not gonna win an election. I’m not sure he is gonna get out of his primary, but my goodness, is that the least of his concerns. He is playing with fire,” Kelly said.

“So true. I mean in more ways than one. To say, there are so many issues. There are so many ways that I could address this. I mean, first of all the last thing he said America is not a Christian nation,” Stuckey said.

Stuckey explained that the Bible has been a defining influence on American culture. Christianity has benefited the West, even for those who don’t believe in the Bible or who are not Christians themselves. Our freedoms and way of life in the Western world are largely possible because of the Bible and Christianity.

“You can’t understand Western civilization. You can’t understand the foundation of America, the history of the United States, without understanding the Ten Commandments, without understanding basic Biblical principles,” Stuckey said.

“Whether or not you believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, understanding it as the most influential piece of literature, and Jesus as the central figure in all of history was necessary to understanding the world around us in the country that we live in,” Stuckey continued.

“That’s just an anti-education, anti-history take that he has there,” Stuckey explained of Talarico’s statements.

Kelly went on to explain that a lot of people take for granted the American way of life and the freedom that they have.

“I think a lot of people, no matter what their belief system is, a lot of people do not appreciate how wonderful we have it because we do have a Christian-based society started by Christians. They just don’t appreciate it because that is all they have ever known,” Kelly said.

“We look across at the pond and the way women are treated like cattle and the way that everything is stolen all the time, and we look at them as barbarians, and they certainly are, but we don’t fully appreciate why that doesn’t take place here,” Kelly continued.

Watch:

The post Jesse Kelly and Author Allie Beth Stuckey on the Left’s Exploitation of Christianity – (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The post Iranian General and IRGC Commander Behind Mass Murder of Citizens and “Judge” Who Sentenced Them Reportedly Eliminated appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Israeli officials have reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead after the US and Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets.

This comes after reports suggested that the Ayatollah fled Tehran and was moved to a secure location during the strikes.

Per the BBC, Netanyahu said earlier there were “growing signs” that Khamenei is “gone.”

Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported on Netanyahu’s comments earlier with updates on the ongoing campaign in Iran. “The Israelis say they are still striking targets inside Iran,” Yingst reported.

WATCH:

Israeli officials are now reporting that Khamenei was killed, and that his body was found.

Israeli ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter told U.S. officials that Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in the Israeli strike on his compound, a source with knowledge said

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 28, 2026

Fox News later said on X that Khamenei is “confirmed dead.”

BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed dead after Israeli strike. pic.twitter.com/93y4aFHyod

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2026

Per Reuters:

The United States and Israel launched the most ambitious attack on Iran in decades on Saturday, and Israel said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed in the operation.

Khamenei’s body has been found, a senior Israeli official told Reuters. Iran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host U.S. bases.

The post BREAKING: Iran”s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Confirmed DEAD – Israeli Officials Say His Body Has Been Found appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Foreign Affairs

Make It a Quick One

Ending the war now is strategically correct—and the right justification for it is close at hand.

The details of joint American–Israeli operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran are fluid. President Donald Trump in his late-night video announcing the attack called for regime change, and in comments to the Washington Post he claimed that the “freedom” of the Iranian people was his top priority.

Let us lay aside for a moment all the recriminations about Trump’s peace rhetoric on the campaign and his old condemnations of regime-change wars in the Middle East. It is hard to see how the current operation lines up with the current air-only approach to the war. No regime has ever been changed by air operations alone. (The most pertinent example is perhaps the Persian Gulf War.) It is not clear that there is any kind of organized domestic opposition that can rise up against the state, and the apparent strikes against dissident politicians in Iran suggests a lack of appetite on the American–Israeli side for fostering the most obvious sources of such organized opposition. In the absence of further information about the administration’s plans, it is safe to say that facts on the ground contradict the rhetoric—and it is the facts on the ground that are reality. The administration does not seem to have its heart in doing what it takes to change the regime: ousting the IRGC from its position of political and economic preeminence in Iran.

But, as of this writing, it appears that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in one of the strikes. This affords the most obvious opportunity to conclude what otherwise seems like an open-ended campaign of unclear goals. The removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela provides a sort of template. The Venezuelan regime remains intact under Delcy Rodrigue, Maduro’s vice president. Khamenei’s removal allows the administration to claim the victory, to say that it fulfilled its rhetoric about changing the management in Tehran, without risking the sort of quagmire that has marred American policy in this century. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled openness to a ceasefire and deescalation in a Saturday interview on NBC News. It seems as if this is the easiest way to get off the bus before it starts rumbling into really undesirable parts of town.

We have until the end of time to discuss the negative consequences of this operation—the damage to American diplomatic credibility after using negotiations as cover for military action yet again, the disgruntlement of a region that was largely coming to agreeable terms with the U.S., the obliteration of any remaining constitutional pretense that Congress holds the war powers in the American system. The urgent imperative is to put a clean bow on this war before it becomes militarily and politically disastrous. Claim victory and get out.

Happily, this seems to line up with the president’s own thinking. In a comment to the Axios journalist Barak Ravid, Trump said, “I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: ‘See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding.’” “Mowing the grass” is perhaps not the ideal model for dealing with Iran, but, again, the acute imperative is to wrap this thing up quickly. Doing so may bring political benefit, like the poll bump Trump saw after last year’s strikes on the Iranian nuclear program. But not doing so is unlikely to be popular: Extended wars in the Middle East continue to poll poorly.

Trump has been unique in his boldness in pursuing new paths in foreign policy—but also in his flexibility. The United States is not yet committed to another forever war; let us hope Trump’s particular virtues lead him to avoid it, rather than digging in on a dangerous, expensive, and probably unpopular conflict in a part of the world Americans have desperately been trying to pay less attention to for 20 years.

The post Make It a Quick One appeared first on The American Conservative.