Trump Announces Major US-Israel Combat Operations Against Iran
US President Donald Trump has issued a brutal eight-word vow amid coordinated strikes on Iran, declaring the country's military capabilities will be "obliterated." In a video posted to his TruthSocial platform, Trump announced the United States has launched "major combat operations" against Iran alongside Israeli forces, marking a significant escalation in Middle East tensions.
Strikes Target Multiple Iranian Cities
The coordinated Israeli-US attack targeted several Iranian cities including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and the capital Tehran. Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions as the strikes unfolded. Trump claimed Iran had been developing long-range missiles capable of targeting Europe, justifying what he described as a "massive" operation to prevent the Islamic dictatorship from posing any threat to America.
"We're not going to take it any longer," Trump declared as missiles flew across Iran. The US President added that the operation would specifically prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons, stating emphatically: "Iran cannot have nuclear weapons."
Call for Iranian Uprising Against Regime
During his announcement, Trump directly addressed the Iranian people, telling them the "hour of your freedom" was near. He urged citizens to rise up against what he called the repressive regime, adding: "When we are finished, take over your government."
This call comes after Iranian authorities brutally suppressed protests in the country, reportedly killing tens of thousands of citizens. Trump had previously teased military action against Iran following this repression, which finally materialized on Saturday morning.
Background of Escalating Tensions
The strikes follow indirect talks between Iranian officials and the US in Geneva, Switzerland, where Trump expressed dissatisfaction with his Iranian counterparts regarding nuclear negotiations. Washington had been increasing pressure on Iran through a massive naval buildup in the region, with Trump ordering significant military assets to the waters around Iran.
In June last year, the US declared it had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's strategic nuclear facilities, though Trump later hinted Iran still posed a nuclear threat. The President stated Iran was "not willing to give us what we have to have" regarding nuclear negotiations.
Broader Military Objectives
Trump outlined additional objectives beyond nuclear capabilities, vowing that Iran's navy would be annihilated and the country would be prevented from sponsoring terrorist organizations across the Middle East. This specifically included Hamas, which carried out the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel.
Israel's defense minister described their participation as a "preventative attack" against Iran. In response to the strikes, Iran has since launched missile attacks against Israel according to the Israeli military. The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed: "A short while ago, sirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel."
The Israeli Air Force is currently operating to intercept and strike threats as necessary. This exchange represents one of the most direct military confrontations between Iran and the US-Israel alliance in recent years, raising significant concerns about broader regional escalation.
