[People News] On February 28 (U.S. Eastern Time), the United States and Israel jointly launched a large-scale military operation against Iran called “Epic Fury.” President Donald Trump declared that the operation conveyed a very simple message: Iran must never possess nuclear weapons.

More importantly, addressing the Iranian people, Trump said:
“Your moment of freedom is approaching. This may be the only opportunity your generation will ever have. The United States stands with you, supporting you with overwhelming force and devastating strikes. Now is the moment for you to take control of your destiny and open the door to a prosperous and brilliant future within reach. Time is critical—do not miss this opportunity.”

Trump added that once the mission is completed, the Iranian people should take over their own government.

On the same day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on social media platform X that the Treasury Department reaffirmed its commitment to Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, tracking all illicit funds leaving Iran and recovering them on behalf of the Iranian people.

Earlier, on February 5, during testimony before the U.S. Senate, Bessent revealed that Iran’s leadership had been frantically moving money out of the country, saying it signaled that “rats are abandoning the sinking ship”—a good sign suggesting that the end of Iran’s leadership might be approaching.

From this perspective, the key difference between this U.S. action and previous military operations is clear: it aims to promote regime change in Iran’s Islamic government. And that is exactly what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fears most.

Trump’s Decision Was Not Easy

Trump’s move was not made lightly.

On January 3, 2026, the United States shocked the world by launching a surprise operation and capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro alive. At that time, Iran was experiencing a new wave of mass protests, and the Iranian government responded with violent crackdowns and internet shutdowns, causing thousands of casualties. Many people hoped the United States would intervene militarily in Iran.

However, Trump chose negotiations first, while simultaneously assembling U.S. military forces to pressure Iran. This showed that unless absolutely necessary, Trump preferred a diplomatic solution, consistent with his desire to be remembered as a “peace president.”

At the same time, some observers worried that military action against Iran could repeat the situation of the Iraq War, potentially trapping the United States in a prolonged conflict. This concern was debated within the Trump administration. Many inside the White House believed confronting Iran would be even more difficult than capturing Maduro, and they were pessimistic about the chances of negotiations succeeding.

On February 26, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told The Washington Post with confidence:“Some people believe we will be dragged into another endless Middle East war. That will not happen.”

Vance said that while the United States must avoid repeating past mistakes, it should not overreact to previous failures.

“Just because one president mishandled a military conflict does not mean we can never enter another conflict again. We must proceed cautiously—but I believe the president has been very cautious.”

The Turning Point

The turning point came on February 27.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran in Geneva on February 26 failed to produce an agreement. The next day, while leaving the White House and speaking to reporters, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

When asked about the possibility of using force, Trump said:“I hope we don’t have to use force—but sometimes you have to.”

When asked whether he feared a prolonged Middle East conflict if the U.S. attacked Iran, Trump replied:“There is always risk.”

He also said the final decision had not yet been made and that additional meetings would take place later that day.

Trump concluded by saying: “Let’s see what happens.”

The result of that statement was clear: the next day the United States and Israel launched a massive strike on Iran.

The Psychological Shock to the CCP

The psychological shock to the Chinese Communist Party from Trump’s move is difficult for outsiders to imagine.

The CCP understands the illegitimacy of its own rule, which is why it demands that every country establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing recognize it as the sole legitimate government of China.

During Trump’s first term, U.S. policy toward China fundamentally changed. In 2020, the United States effectively launched a new Cold War with the CCP, openly framing the conflict in ideological terms.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has taken at least two actions that directly challenge the stability and legitimacy of the CCP regime:

  1. The CIA publicly recruiting Chinese military personnel and officials, an extremely rare move.

  2. The U.S. State Department preparing to launch a platform to break through China’s internet censorship.

These actions inevitably make Beijing wonder whether the strategy used by the Reagan administration to bring down the Soviet Union is now being applied against the CCP.

Breaking Beijing’s Anti-U.S. Alliance

After the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe, only four communist states remain today: China, North Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam.

To counter the United States, the CCP has worked hard to build an alliance with countries such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

But Trump’s new administration has moved decisively, breaking apart this fragile coalition.

First, the United States is actively mediating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, reshaping the triangular relationship among China, the U.S., and Russia and widening the gap between Moscow and Beijing.

Second, the U.S. captured Maduro, triggering political change in Venezuela.

Third, the U.S. is pressuring Cuba, with signs of progress. On February 27, Trump even suggested the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba in the future.

Fourth, the United States has drawn Vietnam closer. Vietnam has responded positively—for example:

  • On February 20, Vietnamese President To Lam chose Washington as his first overseas visit after taking office.

  • On February 14, Vietnam granted Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, a license to operate, allowing deployment of four gateway stations and up to 600,000 terminals.

That leaves North Korea, which the Trump administration has not yet fully addressed. However, China and North Korea also have tensions, meaning their relationship is not unbreakable.

A Broader Strategy Against Beijing

From this perspective, Trump’s military strike on Iran and his push for regime change there are not isolated actions.

They are part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling the CCP’s geopolitical network, weakening its allies one by one and leaving Beijing increasingly isolated.

This is the true shock that Trump’s strike on Iran delivers to the CCP.

And what can Beijing do in response?

So far, the CCP has only expressed “grave concern” and called for an immediate halt to military operations to prevent further escalation.

In other words, there is little it can actually do.

As the saying goes: “The falling flower cannot be held back.”

— The Dajiyuan △