Why did America attack Iran?

American and Israeli officials have offered conflicting explanations for why they attacked Iran, even as Trump has insisted that strikes were necessary and that operations would continue until U.S. objectives are met. Immediately after the launch of “Operation Epic Fury” on Feb. 28, Trump characterized the attack as defensive and suggested that it was intended to eliminate “imminent threats” from Iran. Israel described it as a “preemptive strike” aimed at neutralizing an anticipated missile attack from Iran.

Trump had a “good feeling” that Iran was planning to attack the U.S., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on March 4. Neither the U.S. nor Israel provided evidence that Iran was planning to attack them. In private briefings to Congress, Trump Administration officials acknowledged that U.S. intelligence did not show Iran was preparing to strike before the U.S.-Israeli attacks; instead, they said Iran’s missiles and proxy forces posed a threat to U.S. personnel and allies in the region, although officials presented differing views over whether that threat was more general or imminent.

The rationale behind the strikes continued evolving days after the strikes. U.S. officials have described the offensive as aimed at crippling Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon after what the Trump Administration has since said were failed nuclear negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly described the Iranian regime as an “existential threat” to Israel.

Iran has maintained that it is not looking to develop a nuclear weapon, although the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Tehran had enriched uranium beyond civilian energy needs. Even so, the watchdog said that Iran did not have a structured program towards developing a nuclear weapon. After bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities last June, Trump also claimed that the U.S. had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially suggested that the U.S. launched strikes in part due to pressure from Israel which was preparing its own attack. Rubio, as well as Trump, later walked back those comments, insisting that the strike was a decision made by Trump and that Israel did not force U.S. action.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the operation is “not a so-called regime change war,” but broader American and Israeli messaging have indicated a goal of toppling Iran’s leadership. Immediately after the strikes, Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over” their government. The strikes also came weeks after Trump had promised to “rescue” Iranian protesters in January. After Khamenei’s killing, Israel warned that whoever became the next Supreme Leader under the current regime would also be a potential target.