Trump Announces Strikes on Iran, Condemns 47-Year 'Campaign of Bloodshed'
Donald Trump has condemned Iran's 'vicious' leaders for what he described as a 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' as he announced strikes on the country. The US President delivered his remarks via a video on Truth Social following a daylight missile attack launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Trump's Stern Warning to Iranian Regime
In an eight-minute-long address, Trump vowed 'to raze [the country's] military industry to the ground' and stressed that the region's terrorist proxies would be 'obliterated'. He asserted that Iran has 'waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder', highlighting the ongoing threats posed by the regime.
'The regime’s proxies have continued to send attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump added. 'It's been mass terror, and we are not going to put up with it any longer.'
Iran's Regional Influence and Proxy Networks
Trump detailed Iran's extensive influence across the Middle East, stating: 'From Lebanon to Yemen, and from Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias which have soaked the earth with blood and guts.' This condemnation underscores the broader geopolitical tensions that have escalated in recent weeks.
Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi Calls for Uprising
Meanwhile, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to prepare for an uprising and to take to the streets amidst what he perceives as the Islamic Republic's collapse. He advised civilians to stay at home for now and to mobilize ready for his instructions, signaling potential internal unrest.
Describing the US's attacks as a 'humanitarian intervention', Pahlavi reminded security forces that they had sworn to protect the Iranian people, not the Islamic State and its leaders. He warned that if they did not switch sides, they would 'sink' alongside the current regime and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
US Objectives and Potential Casualties
The US president acknowledged that there may be US casualties from the strikes but emphasized that the 'objective is to defend the American people by eliminating the imminent threats from the Iranian regime'. This statement reflects the high stakes involved in the military action.
First Strike Targets Supreme Leader's Offices
The first strike, which follows weeks of knife-edge tensions building up between the two countries, occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This targeted approach indicates a strategic effort to disrupt the regime's leadership and military capabilities.
As plumes of smoke rose into the air following a reported explosion in Tehran, the situation remains fluid, with global observers closely monitoring developments. The strikes mark a significant escalation in US-Iran relations, potentially reshaping dynamics in the Middle East.
