David E. Sanger

So they responded right away.

but they certainly kept a fair bit in reserve.

So at least for now, we're not seeing a serious number of casualties in the response.

A short time ago...

The United States military began major combat operations in Iran.

And in this video, he talks about why he ordered it and what the goal is.

Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.

David, tell us what stood out to you from this video.

Well, there are two things that jumped out at me, Rachel.

The first part of the video was about the long list of grievances that the U.S.

had against Iran.

And he went back 47 years.

Among the regime's very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S.

embassy in Tehran.

to the taking of the American hostages in the embassy for 444 days, to the bombing of an American barracks in Beirut, and on to accusing Iran of knowing about, if not participating in, the attack on the USS Cole in the late 1990s.

Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand.

But then he turned in a different direction.

When we are finished, take over your government.

It will be yours to take.

This will be probably your only chance for generations.