Trump gave final go-ahead before U.S. strikes on Iran, general says

Officials said President Donald Trump gave the military a final authorization on Feb. 27 and U.S. strikes began on Feb. 28; military leaders have confirmed U.S. deaths in the days since.

U.S. military leaders said that a major campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28 after President Donald Trump issued a final authorization on Feb. 27. Senior officials described the start of coordinated operations and provided casualty updates at a March 2 briefing. Commanders said the actions followed months of planning. They did not specify how long operations would continue. What officials reported: - Gen. Dan Caine said the military received a final authorization from President Trump on Feb. 27 at 3:38 p.m. - U.S. forces began coordinated strikes on Feb. 28, described by officials as a large-scale campaign across Iran. - Military authorities confirmed the deaths of four American servicemembers and reported allied incidents in the days after the strikes. - Leaders declined to give a timeline for how long operations would continue; further actions are not specified. Summary: Senior U.S. officials reported that President Trump authorized the campaign and that strikes began on Feb. 28, and they have confirmed U.S. fatalities. The longer-term scope remains undetermined.