Donald Trump announced the U.S. began “major combat operations” in Iran, saying the Middle Eastern nation rejected American calls to halt its nuclear weapons production.
Trump claimed the Iranians “attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach our American homeland.”
In video remarks posted to his Truth Social account Saturday, Trump said the strikes were part of a “massive and ongoing operation” against the regime in Tehran. The scale of the strikes was not immediately clear.
Following Trump’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the joint operation “to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran” in a video of his own posted to social media.
“This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity,” Netanyahu said.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Israeli military said in a statement on X that it “identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” with defensive systems operating to intercept the threat.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said. “We are going to annihilate their navy, we are going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region and the world.”
Trump made a direct plea to the people of Iran in the 8-minute video, urging them to stay indoors and “take over your government” once the strikes halt.
On the other hand, a state of emergency has been declared in Israel, and schools and workplaces have been closed until further notice. The Israeli Home Front Command stated, “Except for essential businesses, educational activities, organizing gatherings, and going to workplaces are prohibited across Israel.”
In addition to the capital Tehran, the cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah were targeted in the Israeli attacks. Sources claimed that Israel struck Iran’s parliament and the presidential palace, and that numerous senior officials lost their lives.
Following the decision to launch the attack, Israel closed its airspace at around 09:30. In a statement, the Israeli Ministry of Transport said, “The public is requested not to come to the airports until further notice.”
The statement also emphasized that Israelis abroad are asked to “comply with the instructions and recommendations of the National Security Council.”
The Ministry of Transport added, “When the security situation allows, the airspace will be reopened and flights to and from Israel will resume. This will be announced 24 hours before flights recommence.”
Reports say that Mehrabad Airport was targeted in the attacks, while Iran’s airspace was announced to be closed to flights.
According to Iranian media, mobile phone lines were cut in the eastern and western parts of Tehran, and internet connectivity weakened in some areas.
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