WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: Donald Trump has appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” after the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran on Saturday.
In a video posted on social media, Trump said the United States had begun “major combat operations in Iran,” claiming Tehran continued to advance its nuclear program and pursue missile capabilities capable of reaching the United States.
The first apparent strike was reported near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in central Tehran. Iranian media reported attacks in multiple locations nationwide, with smoke seen rising from the capital. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at the time. He has not appeared publicly in recent days amid escalating tensions.
Roads leading to Khamenei’s compound in downtown Tehran were shut down by authorities as further explosions were heard across the city. Iran later closed its airspace, and mobile phone services were reportedly disrupted.
According to an official briefed on the operation, targets in the Israeli campaign included Iranian military facilities, intelligence sites, and symbols of government authority. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as details of the operation were not public.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as actions taken “to remove threats,” without elaborating further.
The United States had assembled a significant fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region in recent weeks in an effort to pressure Iran into reaching a new agreement on its nuclear program. Trump has long pushed for a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, arguing that Tehran’s uranium enrichment and missile development pose serious security risks.
Iran has maintained that it has the right to enrich uranium and has resisted negotiations over its long-range missile program and support for regional armed groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Tehran had expressed hope of avoiding direct conflict but warned that any attack would be met with retaliation.
It was not immediately clear whether Iran would launch counterstrikes. Iranian officials had previously warned that American military personnel and bases across the Middle East would be targeted in the event of military action.
In Israel, sirens sounded nationwide as the country closed its airspace. The Israeli military said it had issued a “proactive alert” to prepare the public for the possibility of missile launches toward Israel. Several hospitals activated emergency protocols, moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.
Neighboring Iraq also closed its airspace following the strikes, according to its Ministry of Transport.
Despite multiple explosions reported in Tehran, Iranian authorities have not released information on casualties or the extent of the damage.
The situation remains fluid as fears of wider regional escalation mount.
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