US President Donald Trump said the US military had launched “major combat operations” in Iran, announcing the strikes in a video shared on social media. Trump said the objective was to defend the American people by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and vowed to destroy Iranian nuclear and military capabilities. “We will ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon,” he said.
The strikes were carried out in coordination with Israel, which described its own action as a “preemptive” strike intended “to remove threats,” according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israeli media reported the operation was dubbed “Lion’s Roar,” while the US called its campaign “Operation Epic Fury.” Reuters and the Associated Press, citing unnamed sources, said the Israeli strike had been planned for months and was coordinated with the US.
Iranian state media reported President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe and sound” following the attacks. Early reports suggested some strikes targeted regime and military sites, with the Associated Press saying an apparent first strike occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not immediately clear whether Khamenei was present; an Iranian official told Reuters he had been moved to a secure location.
Sirens sounded across Israel as the military warned the public to prepare for possible missile launches toward the country. The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel and that the Israeli Air Force was operating to intercept and strike threats as necessary. Israel’s airports authority closed the country’s airspace to civilian flights; Iran also shut down its airspace and cut mobile phone services. Neighboring Iraq announced it was closing its airspace.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry said the situation inside the country remained “stable and secure” amid the strikes and that authorities were monitoring developments closely.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah and an exiled opposition figure, welcomed the attacks and said he was confident the Iranian regime would be defeated. In a video message, Pahlavi urged Iranians to remain safe at home for now and be ready to return to the streets when he announced the appropriate time. He said he wanted to be “by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran.” Pahlavi has voiced support for protests inside Iran, though he does not command universal support among regime critics. Last month, thousands taking part in a mass uprising were reportedly killed by regime security forces.
Israeli officials said the targets included military facilities, symbols of government and intelligence sites, and ballistic missile assets. The Kan public broadcaster in Israel reported the attacks hit “regime and military sites” and that ballistic missiles were among the targets. Iran’s response included reported missile launches toward Israel and defensive operations to counter incoming threats.
Trump also directly appealed to the Iranian people, urging them to overthrow the clerical regime. “Take over your government — it will be yours to take,” he said, framing the military operation as creating conditions for Iranians to decide their own future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint operation aimed to “remove an existential threat posed” by Iran, asserting the strikes would create conditions for Iranians to cast off tyranny and bring about a free, peace-seeking Iran. He emphasized that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
The current escalation follows months of mounting tensions over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and recent confrontations. The US had previously deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region to pressure Tehran during diplomatic talks in Geneva. Last year, Israel launched an operation against Iranian targets that was dubbed “Rising Lion,” and Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israel in a conflict that lasted 12 days.
As events unfolded, coverage included reports and images showing strikes rocking Tehran. Multiple international outlets tracked the developing situation with live updates. The broader region braced for further retaliation or escalation as leaders and militaries on both sides signaled readiness to press their objectives.
