- United States President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of major combat operations against Iran aimed at eliminating what he described as imminent threats and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon
- Israeli forces simultaneously conducted strikes on Iranian regime and military targets while Israel activated missile alerts amid fears of retaliation
United States President Donald Trump said the United States military has launched “major combat operations” inside Iran, describing the action as a response to what he called imminent threats posed by the Iranian government.
The announcement came in a video shared on social media, as regional tensions escalated and air raid sirens sounded across Israel amid warnings from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about a possible missile attack.
The development follows a period of rising confrontation between Washington, Tehran, and Israel, with officials citing concerns over Iranian military capabilities and nuclear activities. The operations appear aimed at countering perceived threats before they could materialize, according to statements released alongside the announcement.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in the video statement. He added: “We will ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
The president also reiterated a broader objective, saying he had vowed to destroy Iranian nuclear and military capabilities. No immediate details were provided regarding the scale of the U.S. strikes, specific targets, or forces involved.
As the announcement emerged, Israel entered a heightened alert posture. Sirens sounded across parts of the country after the IDF warned of the “possibility of missiles,” signaling concerns about potential retaliatory action from Iran or affiliated groups.
At the same time, Israeli military operations were reported underway against Iranian targets. Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, citing an Israeli official, reported that strikes were targeting “regime and military sites.” A ticker on Kan 11 television stated: “Israeli official: Regime targets and military sites are being attacked — including ballistic missiles.”
According to the Associated Press, the first apparent strike occurred near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader had been present at the time. Khamenei had not appeared publicly for several days amid increasing tensions with the United States.
An Israeli official told the Associated Press that targets included Iran’s military infrastructure, government symbols, and intelligence-related facilities. Meanwhile, an Iranian official told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.
The United States government has not released operational imagery or detailed assessments of damage resulting from the reported strikes. Officials also have not confirmed whether the actions were conducted independently by U.S. forces or coordinated with Israeli operations, though the near-simultaneous timing highlights the closely linked security environment between the two countries.
According to statements released by U.S. leadership, the operations are framed as preventive measures intended to counter threats linked to Iran’s military capabilities and nuclear ambitions. Washington has long argued that Tehran’s nuclear program and missile development pose risks to regional stability and U.S. forces stationed across the Middle East.