Explosions have rocked the Iranian capital as the United States and Israel confirmed they have launched major military strikes against Iran. The coordinated attack marks a significant escalation in West Asia .
Trump Announces ‘Major Combat Operations’
US President Donald Trump announced the offensive in an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social platform. He stated that the “United States military began major combat operations in Iran” to defend the American people .
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said. He vowed to “destroy their missiles” and “raze their missile industry to the ground” . The Pentagon has code-named the campaign “Operation Epic Fury” .
Explosions Reported in Five Cities
Massive explosions were heard across Iran, specifically in at least five major cities. These include the capital, Tehran, as well as Isfahan, Karaj, Qom, and Kermanshah .
In Tehran, strikes occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Multiple missiles also hit University Street and the Jomhouri area . Witnesses described seeing plumes of smoke rising from central districts .
Israel Launches ‘Pre-emptive Strike’
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed his country launched a “pre-emptive” strike against Iran. He stated the action was taken “to remove threats to the State of Israel”. Reports indicate this is a joint operation between Israeli and US forces. The Israeli military is focusing on missile storage sites and production facilities .
State of Emergency Declared in Israel
Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory strikes. Defence Minister Katz announced the “immediate state of emergency” would last for 48 hours. Sirens have sounded across the country. Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv has halted all takeoffs and landings.
Nuclear Talks Collapse Precede Attack
The military action follows the failure of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, which concluded on Thursday . Tensions have been soaring amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East, described as the largest since 2003. President Trump claimed Iran rejected opportunities to renounce its nuclear ambitions. “They’ve rejected every opportunity… and we can’t take it anymore,” he said in his address.
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