People cheer during a rally expressing support for US and Israeli military action against Iran’s Islamic Republic government, in Washington on Feb. 28, 2026. Amid Farahi / AFP via Getty Images
WASHINGTON—At precisely 3:38 p.m. ET on Feb. 27, President Donald Trump was traveling to Texas on Air Force One when he gave the order for American forces to strike Iran.
“Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck,” Trump told Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
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