The United States and Israel have initiated a series of coordinated military strikes targeting multiple strategic locations throughout Iran, including the capital city of Tehran. This operation, described by US President Donald Trump as “major combat operations,” marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between these nations and Tehran. The strikes are part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s military infrastructure, nuclear ambitions, and missile capabilities amid stalled diplomatic efforts.
The current military offensive comes roughly eight months after a previous 12-day conflict involving US and Israeli forces against Iran. In recent weeks, President Trump intensified his rhetoric, repeatedly warning that military action would be inevitable if diplomatic negotiations failed to curb Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In response to the strikes, Tehran launched missile attacks targeting northern Israel and US military bases scattered across the Gulf region. While casualty numbers remain limited at this stage, initial reports indicate losses on both sides.
On the morning of the strikes, powerful explosions were reported across Tehran at approximately 9:27 am local time. Iranian media outlets captured scenes of smoke billowing from various parts of the city, including University Street, the Jomhouri district, and areas near the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Additional explosions were recorded in northern Tehran’s Seyyed Khandan neighborhood, as well as in other major urban centers such as Kermanshah, Qom, Tabriz, Isfahan, Ilam, Karaj, and the Lorestan province. These widespread attacks highlight the extensive reach of the operation.
Confirming the joint nature of the offensive, a US official acknowledged that the strikes were conducted in close coordination with Israeli military forces. In the weeks leading up to the operation, Washington had deployed a substantial fleet of fighter jets and naval vessels to the region, representing its most significant military buildup since the Iraq War. The Department of Defense later officially designated the campaign as “Operation Epic Fury,” marking the first public confirmation of the strikes. Targets reportedly included missile production facilities, critical military installations, and key leadership offices, with one strike near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
President Trump outlined the objectives behind the operation, emphasizing the need to eliminate imminent threats posed by Iran. The goals include destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, neutralizing its naval forces, and weakening Iran-backed armed groups operating throughout the Middle East. Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iranian military personnel, offering amnesty to those who surrender while warning that refusal to comply would result in “certain death.” He also acknowledged the possibility of US casualties during what he described as a “multiday operation.” Analysts interpret this campaign as an effort not only to degrade Iran’s military strength but also to set the stage for potential regime change in Tehran.
In a pointed message to the Iranian people, Trump urged them to seize the opportunity to take control of their government, suggesting that this may be their only chance for generations. This statement underscores the political as well as military dimensions of the strikes, signaling a broader strategy aimed at reshaping Iran’s leadership and regional influence.
Iran responded swiftly by launching missile attacks targeting northern Israel, which triggered air-raid sirens and explosions in several locations. Iranian forces also targeted US-linked military facilities across the Gulf, including Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar—the largest US military installation in the region—Al-Salem Airbase in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Airbase in the UAE, the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and US bases in Jordan. These retaliatory strikes demonstrate Tehran’s capacity to project power across the region and escalate the conflict further.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, issued a warning on social media, describing the response as “crushing” and cautioning that the path taken by the US and Israel has spiraled beyond their control. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remain unclear, as he has not been seen publicly for several days. Security measures were heightened around his compound in downtown Tehran amid the explosions. Iranian authorities confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian was unharmed during the attacks.
From Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the military operation, code-named “Lion’s Roar,” would continue for as long as necessary. He defended the strikes as pre-emptive actions aimed at countering threats from Iran’s missile program and its network of regional proxy forces. Netanyahu’s stance reflects Israel’s longstanding concerns about Iran’s growing military capabilities and its influence across the Middle East.
The strikes have sent shockwaves throughout the Gulf region, home to vital US military installations and wealthy oil-producing monarchies. Explosions and air-raid sirens were reported in major cities such as Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama. In Abu Dhabi, a civilian lost their life due to falling debris, the UAE Ministry of Defence. UAE officials stated that their air defense systems successfully intercepted several incoming Iranian missiles. Qatar also reported multiple blasts near the Al Udeid base but confirmed that missile threats were repelled. Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to defending its territory and warned it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its citizens and residents.
International reactions have varied, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi condemning the escalation and lamenting that Muscat-mediated negotiations had been undermined. He urged Washington to avoid further escalation. Qatar described the Iranian missile attacks as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty while reserving the right to respond under international law. The UAE condemned the missile strikes, which reportedly resulted in the death of a Pakistani national, warning of “grave consequences” for repeated violations of its airspace.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas called the situation “perilous,” emphasizing the need to protect civilians and uphold international law. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern over the conflict’s potential to destabilize international peace and security, calling for immediate de-escalation. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev criticized the US, dismissing negotiations with Iran as a mere “cover operation.” The United Kingdom reiterated its position that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons and affirmed its readiness to defend its interests. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney voiced support for US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and threatening global peace.
The backdrop to this latest escalation lies in the longstanding tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, primarily revolving around Tehran’s nuclear program, regional ambitions, and ballistic missile development. Iran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons, while Israel remains the only Middle Eastern country known to possess them. Both the US and Israel have repeatedly threatened military action should Iran advance its nuclear capabilities.
Recent diplomatic efforts, including negotiations mediated by Oman in Geneva, had shown some progress, with reports suggesting Iran agreed to halt uranium stockpiling under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision. However, the combination of military strikes and political messaging risks igniting a wider regional conflict, with potentially severe consequences for Middle Eastern stability and global security.
