US and Israel Launch Coordinated Military Strikes Against Iran
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States and Israel have executed coordinated military strikes against Iran. The attacks occurred on Saturday morning, targeting multiple locations across the Islamic Republic.
Trump's Direct Appeal for Regime Change
President Donald Trump announced the military action through a video broadcast on Truth Social, declaring that the US had initiated "major combat operations" against Iran. In his address from Mar-a-Lago, Trump made an unprecedented direct appeal to the Iranian people, urging them to overthrow their government.
"To the great, proud people of Iran I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand," Trump declared. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations."
The President warned Iranian citizens to remain sheltered, stating "bombs will be dropping everywhere" and describing the situation as "very dangerous outside." He dubbed the military campaign "Operation Epic Fury."
Multiple Cities Targeted in Coordinated Attack
Reports indicate explosions occurred in five Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces characterized their participation as "pre-emptive" action, while Iran claimed it was responding to Israeli aggression.
Iran immediately shut its airspace following the attacks, with Iraq and Israel following suit. Israel additionally declared a state of emergency as regional tensions reached a boiling point.
Nuclear Negotiations Collapse Amid Military Action
The military strikes come just days after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran showed apparent progress in Switzerland. Both nations had indicated they were moving toward an agreement on nuclear arms development, though Iran maintained its right to enrich uranium and avoided discussions about its missile program and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Trump justified the military action by stating, "The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests." He specifically vowed to "raze their missile industry to the ground" and leave it "totally obliterated."
Regional Security Concerns Escalate
Iran had previously warned that American military personnel and bases throughout the region would face retaliation. Bahrain reported that a missile attack targeted the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, though details remain unclear.
British and American diplomats were evacuated from Iran on Friday, preceding the military strikes. According to Reuters, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was transferred to a secure location as the attacks commenced.
International Inspections and Uranium Enrichment Concerns
Iran claims it has not enriched uranium since June, but has blocked international inspectors from visiting sites previously bombed by the US during last year's 12-day conflict. The country's mobile phone services were disrupted during the attacks, further complicating communication and information flow.
The military action represents a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly following months of protests within Iran that resulted in thousands of casualties. Trump's direct call for regime change marks an unprecedented approach in US-Iran relations, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
