World3 min(s) read
Donald Trump makes chilling statement as US and Israel launch attack on Iran
The United States and Israel unleashed coordinated strikes on Iran early Saturday morning after diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear program failed to deliver the outcome President Donald Trump had demanded.
In an eight-minute video posted to his social media platform, Trump described the attack as a “massive and ongoing operation.” The president did not initially specify the exact targets, but reports quickly began surfacing from inside Iran, per BBC News.
The Associated Press reported that a cloud of smoke was rising from Tehran's downtown area. The apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the AP report.
U.S. and Israel launch coordinated strikes on Iran
Trump framed the military action as a necessary response to what he described as Iran’s continued defiance.
“We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump said.
He added that Iran had "attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing 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."
Israel confirmed its own role in the operation. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel had launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran early Saturday.
The Israeli government immediately declared a nationwide state of alert amid expectations of retaliation.
"This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel," the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X.
Not long after, the IDF stated it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly welcomed the joint operation. "A short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," he said in a post on X.
"Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," he said.
Trump calls on Iranians to rise up against clerical leadership
In his video address, Trump went further than outlining military objectives. He directly appealed to the Iranian public and security forces.
"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," he declared.
In a chilling statement, he also warned members of Iran’s security apparatus that they would be given “immunity” if they laid down their arms, or else “face certain death”.
Trump’s rhetoric echoed earlier threats made in January when Iran’s security forces cracked down on nationwide anti-government protests. Human rights activists reported that at least 6,480 people were killed during the unrest.
At that time, Trump threatened to bomb Iran and warned that those responsible would "pay a big price." He also told protesters that "help is on its way".
Days later, the president said he had received assurances from Iran’s government that the "killing has stopped" and shifted his attention back to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.