President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States has begun “major combat operations” against Iran, as powerful explosions were reported across the Iranian capital, Tehran.

In an eight-minute video posted on social media, Trump said the objective of the operation is to defend the American people by eliminating what he described as imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He acknowledged the possibility of casualties as U.S. forces carry out what officials say could be several days of sustained strikes.

Israeli officials also confirmed that Israel is conducting coordinated attacks on Iranian targets. According to two senior Israeli defense officials, the assault began around 8:10 a.m. local time and is expected to last several days. Israel has declared a state of emergency and closed schools, workplaces and its airspace in anticipation of possible retaliation.

Explosions Rock Multiple Cities
Residents in Tehran reported smoke rising from areas near the presidential palace and the National Security Council. Blasts were also heard in other Iranian cities, including Isfahan, Karaj, Qom and Kermanshah, according to Iranian news agencies. Ambulances were dispatched to central Tehran, and hospitals were placed on high alert.

Several residents said air-raid sirens did not sound at the onset of the strikes, and state media initially provided limited guidance. Landline communications in parts of the capital were reportedly down, with only intermittent mobile phone service.
Iran has since closed its airspace.

Scope of the Operation
U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said the current campaign is expected to be far more extensive than the American strikes carried out in June 2025, when three Iranian nuclear facilities were targeted during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

The earlier strikes damaged key sites, including the Fordo enrichment facility, but intelligence assessments later suggested Iran’s nuclear program had been degraded rather than destroyed. At the time, Trump declared the facilities “completely and totally obliterated,” though subsequent reports indicated that some enriched uranium stockpiles may have been moved prior to the bombings.

The latest offensive follows weeks of rising tensions, during which Trump threatened military action unless Tehran agreed to stricter limits on its nuclear program. A final round of mediated talks in Switzerland on Thursday ended without a breakthrough.

U.S. military assets had been significantly reinforced across the Middle East in recent weeks, including the deployment of aircraft carriers, naval destroyers and dozens of fighter jets. Officials said American forces are targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and elements of its military apparatus, including missile facilities.

Israel, for its part, is reportedly focusing on long-range missile storage sites, production facilities and launchers. Iran is believed to possess one of the region’s largest missile stockpiles, including medium-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching U.S. bases and allied territories across the Middle East.

Fears of Escalation
Ahead of the strikes, U.S. officials warned that Iran could retaliate swiftly, potentially targeting American bases, embassies or regional allies. Iran’s network of allied armed groups across the Middle East is also seen as a potential source of counterattacks.
In Israel, hospitals have begun transferring patients to fortified or underground shelters. The country’s health ministry ordered the discharge of patients who do not require immediate hospitalization.

Foreign policy analysts cautioned that the operation carries the risk of drawing the United States into a prolonged regional conflict. Critics in Washington questioned the strategic justification for preemptive action, urging restraint and warning against escalation.

In his address, Trump directly appealed to the Iranian people, urging them to “take over your government” once the military operation concludes.
The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as both sides assess the immediate impact of the strikes and the likelihood of retaliation.