Trump Announces ‘Major Combat Operations’ as US, Israel Strike Iran

President Trump declared Saturday that America has begun significant military action against Iran in coordination with Israel. The strikes reportedly targeted locations near Iran's Supreme Leader and prompted retaliatory missile launches toward Israel.

Military strikes commenced Saturday against Iran in a coordinated effort between America and Israel, with initial attacks reportedly occurring close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s headquarters.

Reports from Iranian outlets described strikes across the nation, with witnesses observing smoke billowing over Tehran.

In a social media video, President Donald Trump announced that America had initiated “major combat operations in Iran.” Trump stated Iran had continued advancing its nuclear capabilities while developing missiles capable of reaching American territory.

Saturday brought explosions throughout northern Israel as the nation worked to defend against incoming Iranian missiles following the joint assault on Iran.

The detonations occurred shortly after Israeli defense forces announced they would deploy air defense networks to counter Iranian retaliation.

Officials have not yet reported damage assessments or casualty figures from the continuing military action.

Israel activated nationwide alert systems Saturday following reports of Iranian missile launches directed at the country.

Israeli military commanders confirmed air defense networks would be engaged to protect the nation.

Trump recognized that military operations against Iran could result in American losses.

“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” Trump stated in his Saturday morning social media video. “That often happens in war.”

The video showed Trump wearing a white USA baseball cap, navy suit and white shirt without a tie. A dark blue backdrop was visible as the president made his war announcement from Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida residence and club.

Referencing June attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump said, “We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons. And we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried.”

Trump continued that Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore.”

While Iran claims no uranium enrichment has occurred since June, the country has prevented international inspectors from accessing sites America bombed during the previous 12-day conflict.

Associated Press analysis of satellite imagery has revealed renewed activity at two targeted locations, indicating Iran may be evaluating and possibly salvaging materials from those facilities.

Although previous strikes against Iranian nuclear installations allegedly eliminated the country’s nuclear program, Trump claimed Iran “attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland.”

Trump described Saturday’s military action as part of “a massive and ongoing operation” designed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” while working to “annihilate their navy” and “ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces.”

Characterizing the Iranian strikes as “a noble mission,” Trump said military action was required due to Iran’s nuclear weapons development and missile programs threatening America.

Trump demanded Iranian leadership “lay down your arms” or “you will face certain death,” while urging Iranian citizens to “take over your government — it will be yours to take.”

Iraq’s Transportation Ministry announced Saturday that the nation’s airspace had been shut down following military strikes on neighboring Iran.

Ministry representative Mitham al-Safi informed state-controlled Iraqi News Agency that “the closure was preceded by the evacuation of all air traffic from Iraqi airspace.”

America has initiated “major combat operations in Iran,” President Trump confirmed through a Truth Social video post.

Trump stated the mission aims to protect America by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

American forces are taking part in the strikes, according to a U.S. official and an operation source, both speaking anonymously regarding classified military activities. The complete scope of American participation remains unclear.

Two Tehran residents confirmed hearing strike sounds throughout the Iranian capital. A resident near Mehrabad airport described hearing “two heavy explosions” that rattled windows approximately thirty minutes earlier.

In central Tehran’s Vanak area, another resident reported sounds of “blasts and war” occurring nearly simultaneously.

Aircraft scheduled to land in Israel are being redirected to regional airports. Airport passengers awaiting departures are being transported back to various Israeli destinations.