U.S. and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military assault on Iran early Saturday, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and pushing the region toward what could become a prolonged conflict.

In an address posted on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “massive and ongoing” campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s military capabilities, eliminating its nuclear program, and ultimately paving the way for the overthrow of the Iranian government.

Explosions Rock Tehran

Powerful explosions shook the Iranian capital, Tehran, sending residents scrambling for safety. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from areas near Pasteur Street, a district that includes the presidential compound.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos. Parents rushed to schools to retrieve their children, while others fled the city amid heavy traffic congestion. One resident said middle-school students were hiding under staircases, crying as blasts echoed across the city.

Internet connectivity across Iran dropped sharply to just 4 percent of normal levels, according to monitoring groups, making communication extremely difficult.

Iran’s state news agency reported strikes not only in Tehran but also in Urmia, near the Turkish border. Conflicting reports circulated about whether senior officials had been targeted, though state media later confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian was safe.

Scope of the U.S. Operation

According to U.S. officials, dozens of American strikes were launched from military bases and aircraft carriers across the Middle East. The deployment represents one of the largest U.S. military buildups in the region since the Iraq War in 2003, including two aircraft carriers, naval destroyers, and more than 50 fighter jets.

The initial focus targeted Iranian military installations, missile launch sites, and components of its ballistic missile program. Iran is believed to possess more than 2,000 ballistic missiles, posing threats to Israel and U.S. forces stationed throughout the region.

President Trump vowed to “raze their missile industry to the ground” and “annihilate their navy.” He also warned members of Iran’s armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to lay down their weapons or “face certain death.”

He acknowledged the risks involved, including potential American casualties, stating, “That often happens in war.”

Israeli Participation and Defensive Measures

Israel confirmed that it joined the operation, launching its own strikes on military targets in western Iran. Israeli officials said dozens of Iranian missiles had already been fired toward Israel in retaliation.

Air-raid sirens sounded across the country as Israel’s air defense systems intercepted incoming ballistic missiles. The Israeli military announced it would mobilize approximately 70,000 reserve soldiers to reinforce air defenses, border security, and emergency response units.

Iran’s Retaliation Across the Region

Iran quickly responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. and allied targets across the Persian Gulf. Iranian media reported strikes targeting American bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.

The Qatari and Emirati defense ministries confirmed that several ballistic missiles were intercepted. In Abu Dhabi, at least one person was reportedly killed by falling debris. Bahrain reported an explosion near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had launched waves of missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation. Iranian officials warned that any base assisting the United States or Israel would be considered a legitimate target.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council declared that the country would not “surrender to despicable demands” and promised “crushing retaliation.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene, accusing the U.S. and Israel of violating international law.

Regional and International Reactions

The conflict has triggered alarm across the region:

• Jordan intercepted ballistic missiles that entered its airspace.
• Syria temporarily closed its southern air corridors.
• The U.S. Embassy in Jordan ordered all personnel to shelter in place and advised American citizens to do the same.
• Germany confirmed it had been informed by Israel in advance but did not explicitly endorse the strikes.
• Britain stated it did not participate and called for restraint to avoid a wider regional war.

Lebanon’s leaders urged calm, amid concerns that Hezbollah — an Iran-backed militant group — could enter the conflict.

Background to the Crisis

Tensions between Washington and Tehran had been escalating for weeks. President Trump had repeatedly threatened military action unless Iran agreed to U.S. demands regarding its nuclear program and regional activities.

Last June, during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, the United States carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Although Trump initially claimed the program had been “obliterated,” later assessments suggested it had only been degraded.

A final round of mediated nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials ended without agreement on Thursday, apparently clearing the path for Saturday’s assault.

A Dangerous Turning Point

American officials expect the strikes to continue for days or even weeks. Military analysts warn that Iran’s capabilities — including naval mines that could threaten the Strait of Hormuz and its large missile stockpile — could lead to severe global economic and security consequences.

The situation remains fluid as both sides exchange strikes, raising fears that the confrontation could expand into a full-scale regional war.