In a video message released on social media early Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the US had initiated what he described as major combat operations against Iran, framing the move as a preemptive effort to neutralize escalating security risks.
He argued that Tehran was advancing long-range missile capabilities capable of threatening European allies, US forces stationed abroad, and potentially the American mainland. According to Trump, the objective of the strikes is to defend the American people by eliminating what he called imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.
He further pledged to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure and reiterated that the US will ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
Explosions reported in Tehran and other Iranian cities
Reports of explosions erupted across several Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran, following coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States early Saturday. According to two sources, the US military is preparing for operations that could continue for several days.
Trump characterized the campaign as massive and ongoing, warning that American lives could be at risk in the process. He framed the strikes as a necessary measure to counter the threats posed by Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, emphasizing that the military action aims to protect both US personnel abroad and the homeland from potential attacks.
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries,” Trump said in his address.
Trump also outlined a series of complaints against Iran, citing its support for regional proxy groups that have threatened US forces and commercial shipping, as well as its backing of Hamas. He framed these actions as part of a broader pattern of hostile behavior that, in his view, justified the military strikes and underscored the need to hold Tehran accountable for regional destabilization.
Israel braces as Iran fires dozens of missiles in retaliation
Israeli military officials said the initial phase of the operation could extend over several days, with the first strikes carried out during daylight hours to catch Iran by surprise. In response, Iran reportedly launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel, according to Nour News, an outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian authorities warned that a retaliatory response would be crushing. Sirens sounded across Israel as a precautionary measure, alerting the public to potential missile attacks, the IDF confirmed. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged Americans in the country to stay near shelters and be ready for alerts, advising immediate action at the sound of sirens.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a statement, calling on the Iranian people to rise against what he described as tyranny. He specifically mentioned Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, and Ahwazis, urging them to pursue a free and peaceful Iran. Netanyahu also appealed to Israeli citizens to follow the guidance of the Home Front Command, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness.
He framed the coming days under Operation “The Roar of the Lion” as a period requiring endurance and fortitude from the population, signaling the seriousness and potential duration of the ongoing military campaign.