PANews reported on February 28 that US President Trump stated: "The United States recently launched a major military operation in Iran. Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear program; Iran must never possess nuclear weapons. Iran is developing long-range missiles that threaten the United States and other countries. Our goal is to protect the American people by eliminating the imminent threat posed by the Iranian regime. We will destroy Iran's missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. We will ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. We will completely destroy Iran's navy. The United States has taken every possible measure to minimize the risks to US personnel stationed in the region. Americans may suffer losses; we may have casualties."