In the wee hours of Saturday morning just minutes after the deadline set by President Donald Trump for the Iranian regime to agree to drop its decades-long nuclear enrichment ambitions, it happened. The U.S. and Israel began devastating air strikes on Iran, as RedState reported. The president announced Operation "Epic Fury" with a just-after-midnight ET video statement.
READ MORE: UPDATED: President Trump Confirms 'Major Combat Operation' in Iran
NYC's Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani later in the morning spoke on the joint Iran operation at an event:
“Today’s military strikes by the United States and Israel mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of war of aggression,” Mamdani said Saturday at an unrelated event in Brooklyn. “Bombing cities, killing civilians, opening up a new theater of war — Americans do not want this. Americans do not want another war in pursuit of regime change. We want an answer to the affordability crisis. We want peace.”
The story linked above adds some details on how NYC law enforcement is beefing up to keep the city safe after the attack, per Politico:
Mamdani’s NYPD reacted to the dramatic development before he did, issuing a statement early Saturday morning saying the department is “enhancing patrols to sensitive locations throughout the city, including diplomatic, cultural, religious and other relevant sites” in light of the U.S. military operation.
“We are increasing agency coordination as well as patrols of sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution,” he said Saturday afternoon.
How does Mayor Mamdani's take compare to others on the Left? Earlier on Saturday, we started to hear answers, with the immediate reactions from the Democrat Party. Some are more reasonable (surprisingly) than others, as readers have seen on scattered issues and news stories over the years. PA Sen. John Fetterman was in that camp here, as Joe Cunningham noted. The majority were cowardly, staying silent.
READ MORE: Democrats Split on Iran Strike, but Most Silent on Defending Iran
Well, with a new X post, the mayor has doubled down on his misguided rhetoric, showing he's as wrong as someone can possibly be, while confirming the serious safety protocols:
Today’s military strikes on Iran — carried out by the United States and Israel — mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war. Americans do not want this. They do not want another war in pursuit…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 28, 2026
His post went on:
They do not want another war in pursuit of regime change. They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace.
I am focused on making sure that every New Yorker is safe. I have been in contact with our Police Commissioner and emergency management officials. We are taking proactive steps, including increasing coordination across agencies and enhancing patrols of sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution.
Additionally, I want to speak directly to Iranian New Yorkers: you are part of the fabric of this city — you are our neighbors, small business owners, students, artists, workers, and community leaders. You will be safe here.
What can you say to what will probably go down as one of the worst readings on this historic moment?
Trump... has managed to make the Democrats support Iran's mullahs. I can't even. https://t.co/dGWHjvDIB2
— Becca Lower (@BeccaJLower) February 28, 2026
In the last few minutes, RedState Managing Ed. Jennifer Van Laar wrote in a breaking story that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confirmed dead.
This is a developing story, of course, and we will keep bringing you updates as more information is available.
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