Trump announces major US combat operations in Iran

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - WASHINGTON — As explosions struck Tehran and Israel announced “preemptive” strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had launched what he described as “major combat operations” in the Islamic Republic.

“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social account.

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He said Iran’s “menacing activities” directly endanger the United States, its troops, overseas bases and allies worldwide.

Trump vowed to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and dismantle its missile industry, reiterating that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated,” he said.

He added that the US would ensure that what he described as Iran-backed proxies could no longer destabilize the region or attack American forces.

Citing past attacks, including the 1979 US Embassy takeover in Tehran, the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 Americans and the 2000 USS Cole attack, Trump said Iranian forces had “killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq.”

He accused Iran of continuing to support armed groups across Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq, and described the country as “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”

Trump said it has long been US policy, particularly under his administration, that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.” He referenced Operation Midnight Hammer last June, which he said targeted nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, and claimed Iran attempted to resume its nuclear and missile programs during negotiations.

“For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” he said.

He acknowledged the risks of escalation, stating that US personnel could face casualties. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said.

In remarks directed at the Iranian public, Trump urged civilians to remain indoors and called on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces and police to lay down their arms.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said, warning that those who do not stand down could face “certain death.”

In a separate post on the social media platform X, the US Department of War referred to the operation as “Operation Epic Fury.”

The strikes come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program under Omani mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva concluded Thursday. Last June, the US also struck three Iranian nuclear sites during the closing days of the 12-day Israel-Iran war.