TEL AVIV — The U.S. and Israel have launched strikes against Iran after weeks of escalating tensions and a significant U.S. military buildup in the region.
“A short time ago the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” U.S. President Donald Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social account. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. It’s menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world.”
Trump said the U.S. had “sought repeatedly to make a deal” but Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions.” He vowed, “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” and told the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to “lay down your arms… or you will face certain death.” Addressing Iranians, he said, “your hour of freedom is at hand… when we are finished take over your government, it will be yours to take.”
The Israeli military said missiles had been launched toward Israeli territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as aimed at removing “the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran,” and said the joint action would create conditions for the Iranian people to “take their destiny into their own hands.”
A person briefed on the operation told NPR it was expected to last a few days, with Israel focusing on Iran’s missile program. Israel declared a 48-hour state of emergency nationwide; air-raid sirens sounded across the country at about 8:15 a.m. local time, and the country closed its airspace to passenger flights as civil defense protocols were activated. Regional forces remain on high alert.
Iranian state media reported rocket fire in parts of Tehran and broadcast footage showing smoke after a blast; the extent of damage and casualties has not been confirmed.
The strikes follow weeks of speculation about possible military action against Iran amid the buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East.
This is a developing story and will be updated.