The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran early Saturday, marking a significant escalation after weeks of rising tensions and public warnings from President Donald Trump.
In a video posted at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Truth Social, Trump announced the start of operations.
“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” he said. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
Trump also called on members of Iran’s military to stand down and urged civilians to challenge the country’s ruling leadership.
“Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take; this will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said. “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny.”
American embassies in Israel and Qatar issued shelter-in-place orders for U.S. citizens following the start of military operations, reflecting concerns about potential retaliation across the region.
Israeli officials confirmed their own role in the campaign. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel had initiated what he described as “preemptive” strikes and declared a nationwide state of emergency. Shortly after 3 a.m. EST, the Israeli Air Force reported detecting missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.
Details about the specific targets of the joint strikes were not immediately available. However, residents in Tehran reported seeing smoke rising from areas near major government buildings, including locations associated with the presidential administration and national security leadership.
According to multiple reports, the U.S. campaign—referred to as Operation Epic Fury—is expected to extend beyond the scope of earlier limited strikes conducted during the summer against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The military action comes just over a day after diplomatic talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators concluded in Geneva. Those discussions were mediated by Oman and had been viewed as a possible avenue for de-escalation.
Trump said Friday that he was dissatisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, though he had not definitively committed to military action at that time.
Oman’s foreign minister told Face the Nation that Iran had agreed during the talks to “zero stockpiling” of nuclear material, calling the development a breakthrough. Despite that reported progress, the negotiations did not appear to prevent the subsequent military escalation.
For weeks leading up to the strikes, the administration had been weighing its options publicly. Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine reportedly warned about the risks associated with military action, while some lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, advocated for a more forceful approach aimed at broader political change in Tehran.
In preparation for possible conflict, the United States had significantly increased its military presence in the region. Assets deployed in recent weeks included advanced fighter aircraft such as F-35s and F-22s, refueling planes, air defense systems, and two aircraft carrier strike groups.
In his video statement Saturday, Trump reiterated his administration’s position that Iran was attempting to rebuild its nuclear capabilities and develop missile systems capable of reaching American territory.
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces,” he said.
He also acknowledged the risks involved in military action.
“My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region,” Trump said. “Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties, that often happens in war, but we’re doing this, not for now, we’re doing this for the future and it is a noble mission.”
